QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Why does chlorine exist as Cl^2 rather than as a single atom?
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Answer
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Step 1: Understand the nature of atoms and chemical bonding
Atoms are the basic units of matter, and they can combine with each other to form molecules through chemical bonding. There are two main types of chemical bonding: ionic bonding and covalent bonding. Chlorine exists as Cl^2 due to covalent bonding.
Step 2: Recognize the properties of chlorine atoms
Chlorine (Cl) is a member of the halogen group in the periodic table, with an atomic number of 17 and an atomic mass of approximately 35.5 u. Chlorine has seven electrons in its outermost energy level, which is one electron short of a stable electron configuration (eight electrons in the outermost energy level).
Final Answer
Chlorine exists as Cl^2 rather than a single atom due to covalent bonding. This bonding occurs because chlorine atoms share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, forming a stable chlorine molecule.
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