Chlorine: An In-Depth Exploration Of Its Chemistry And Reactivity For Seo
Chlorine, with an atomic number of 17, possesses a neutral charge in its elemental form. Its 17 protons are balanced by 17 electrons. The electron configuration of chlorine is [Ne]3s23p5, revealing that it has seven valence electrons, making it highly reactive. Chlorine commonly forms chloride ions by gaining an electron, resulting in a charge of -1. This ionic charge arises from the disparity between the number of protons (17) and electrons (18) in the chloride ion. Chlorine’s ability to adopt various oxidation states demonstrates its versatility.