Chlorine is a poisonous greenish-yellow gas with a strong, bad smell. In nature, it can only be found together with other elements, especially in minerals. Together with sodium, it forms salt (NaCl).

Chlorine is used to make water clearer and purer. In swimming pools, it kills bacteria. We also use chlorine to clean metal. The industry uses chlorine compounds to produce paper, plastic, medicine, and paint.

Chlorine often combines with other elements because it easily accepts free electrons from them. It has 17 protons and an atomic mass of 35.



Words

  • bacteria = very small living things that can lead to illnesses
  • combine = get together
  • compound = made up of two or more elements
  • especially = above all
  • poisonous = a substance or material that can hurt or even kill you
  • pure = something that is not mixed with anything else
  • sodium = a silver, white metal that usually exists together with other chemicals, for example salt