levo

The Halogens

Chlorine with water and the treatment of drinking water

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit AS 1

Overview

Recall questions on the equation for chlorine with water and why it is a disproportionation, which species kills bacteria, the effect of sunlight, the advantages and disadvantages of chlorination and of ozone, residual protection, and the ethical objection to treating a public supply.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Write the equation for the reaction of chlorine with water.

Key term

Name the two chlorine-containing species formed when chlorine dissolves and reacts in water.

Key term

Why is the reaction of chlorine with water written as an equilibrium?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Write the equation for the reaction of chlorine with water.

    Model answer

    The equation is Cl₂(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇌ H⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq) + HOCl(aq).

  2. 2

    Name the two chlorine-containing species formed when chlorine dissolves and reacts in water.

    Model answer

    Chloride ions and chlorate(I), present as chloric(I) acid or the ClO⁻ ion, are both formed.

  3. 3

    Show that the reaction of chlorine with water is a disproportionation.

    Model answer

    The chlorine starts at oxidation state 0 and ends at −1 in the chloride and +1 in the chlorate(I), so it is both reduced and oxidised.

  4. 4

    Why is the reaction of chlorine with water written as an equilibrium?

    Model answer

    Only a small proportion of the dissolved chlorine reacts, so unreacted Cl₂ remains in solution alongside the products and the reaction does not go to completion.

  5. 5

    Which species formed from chlorine in water is responsible for killing bacteria?

    Model answer

    The chlorate(I) species, chloric(I) acid, is the powerful oxidising agent that destroys bacteria.

  6. 6

    Describe what happens when chlorine water is left in bright sunlight.

    Model answer

    The chlorine oxidises the water and oxygen is given off as the solution loses its colour, following 2Cl₂(aq) + 2H₂O(l) → 4HCl(aq) + O₂(g).

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