What is the chemical symbol for chlorine?
VerifiedAnswer: Cl
Explanation:
The chemical symbol for chlorine is Cl. This symbol comes from the first two letters of the element's name and follows the standard international naming convention established by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).
Chlorine is a highly reactive chemical element that belongs to the halogen family in Group 17 of the periodic table. It has an atomic number of 17, which means every chlorine atom contains 17 protons in its nucleus. In its natural state, chlorine exists as a pale yellow-green gas with a distinctive sharp, pungent smell.
The symbol Cl is universally recognized and used in chemical formulas, equations, and scientific documentation worldwide. When writing chemical compounds, this symbol helps identify chlorine's presence. For example, common table salt has the chemical formula NaCl, where Na represents sodium and Cl represents chlorine, forming sodium chloride.
Understanding chemical symbols is fundamental in chemistry as they provide a shorthand way to represent elements and write chemical reactions. The symbol Cl appears in many important compounds we encounter daily, including household bleach (sodium hypochlorite - NaClO), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and various disinfectants used in water treatment plants to make our drinking water safe.
