What is the chemical symbol for chlorine gas?

Study for the IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the chemical symbol for chlorine gas?

Explanation:
Chlorine gas is elemental chlorine in its gaseous form, and elements like chlorine usually exist as diatomic molecules when they’re gases. That means two chlorine atoms pair up to form Cl2, which is the symbol used for chlorine gas. Writing Cl would mean a single chlorine atom, not the molecule that makes up the gas. The other symbols, ClO- and ClO2-, are oxyanions (hypochlorite and chlorite), not elemental chlorine gas. So the symbol for chlorine gas is Cl2.

Chlorine gas is elemental chlorine in its gaseous form, and elements like chlorine usually exist as diatomic molecules when they’re gases. That means two chlorine atoms pair up to form Cl2, which is the symbol used for chlorine gas. Writing Cl would mean a single chlorine atom, not the molecule that makes up the gas. The other symbols, ClO- and ClO2-, are oxyanions (hypochlorite and chlorite), not elemental chlorine gas. So the symbol for chlorine gas is Cl2.

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