Q. 7.50 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Chlorine $\left(C{l}_2\right)$ is a strong germicide used to disinfect drinking water and to kill microbes in swimming pools. If the product is $C{l}^{-}$, was the elemental chlorine oxidized or reduced?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The element chlorine is reduced after disinfecting drinking water.

Step 1: Given Information

We are given that chlorine is used to disinfect the water and after that ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ product is produced and we have to find out in this process chlorine is oxidized or reduced.

Step 2: Explanation

When chlorine disinfects water and kill microbes, it changes into ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ which states that the reaction is, ${\mathrm{Cl}}_2+2{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to 2{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$

$1$ electron is getting reduced from $C{l}_2$ in product side and the reaction in which an atom loses its electron is called reduction.

Hence, the chlorine reduced in this process and undergoes reduction reaction.