Cl Molar Mass: Methods for Efficiently Computing Cl2 Molar Mass

March 8, 2023
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A Brief Overview of the Chemical Element Cl and Its Applications

Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17. It is a highly reactive gas that makes an excellent disinfectant for eliminating harmful microorganisms. It is widely used as a bleaching agent and also in producing PVC products. One of the most common applications of chlorine is in swimming pools. 
Even though it is a widely used chemical, you must handle it with caution as it is highly reactive and can cause potential hazards.
  • Chemical formula: Cl2.
  • Empirical formula: Cl2.
  • Molecular formula: diatomic chlorine Cl2.
  • Molecular mass according to the periodic table: 35,453 amu.
  • Molar volume: 18,7 cm³/mol.
  • The atomic mass and molar mass of CL2 are the same: 35,453 amu.
  • Number of atoms: chlorine is made out of a single atom – Cl.
  • Melting point −100,95 °C.
  • Evaporating temperature -34,55 °C.

Applications of Chlorine (Cl)

Chlorine has vast applications from sanitation to pesticides, polymers, refrigerants, and many more. Here are some of the major applications of chlorine(CL):
1. Disinfectant
One of the primary applications of chlorine is as a disinfectant. Chlorine has strong oxidizing properties that make it effective in killing bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.
2. Swimming Pools
Chlorine is used in swimming pools to maintain cleanliness and safety. As chlorine serves as a disinfectant, it eliminates bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. It also prevents the spreading of waterborne diseases.
3. Textile Industry
Chlorine is widely used in the textile industry for bleaching fabrics and fibers. This process ensures the production of bright and uniform textiles. The use of chlorine in the textile industry produces appealing results.
4. Rubber Industry
Chlorine plays a vital role in the rubber industry. It is utilized in all different stages of rubber production. The use of chlorine in the rubber industry is crucial for producing high-quality rubber products, including automotive tires and industrial components. Chlorine contributes to the vulcanization process that enhances the strength and durability of the rubber materials.
5. Production Of Polyvinyl Chloride
Chlorine is an essential component in the synthesis of PVC through a process known as chlorination. The chlorination process is a crucial step in transforming ethylene into an essential monomer needed for PVC polymerization. Additives available in chlorine are used to improve the stability and durability of the PVC.

Properties Of Chlorine

Let’s explore the specific characteristics that make chlorine a vital element in both the physical and chemical domains:

Physical Properties of Chlorine

Chlorine is a diatomic gas under normal conditions. It belongs to the halogen group of the periodic table. Here are some of the key physical properties of chlorine:
1. Physical State: Chlorine exists as Cl2. It is a greenish-yellow gas that has a strong odor.
2. Melting point: The melting point of Chlorine is -101.5°C and the Boiling point is -34.04°C.
3. Density: The density of chlorine is about 3.2 g/L at room temperature.
4. Solubility: Chlorine is sparingly soluble in water. The solubility of Chlorine increases as the temperature decreases
5. Molecular weight: The molecular weight of Chlorine is 70.906 g/mol(approx).
6. Odor: Chlorine has a distinct, pungent odor.
7. Reactivity: Chlorine is highly reactive and is renowned for its oxidizing properties.
8. Toxicity: Chlorine gas can be toxic if inhaled in high concentrations, as it is a respiratory irritant.
9. Flammability: Chlorine itself is not flammable, but it supports combustion of other substances. So, you must handle it with care.

Chemical Properties of Chlorine

Chlorine has several chemical properties. Here are some of the significant chemical properties of chlorine:
1. Electronic Configuration: The electronic configuration of chlorine is [Ne] 3s² 3p⁵, and it has seven electrons in its outermost shell.
2. Reactivity: Chlorine is a highly reactive substance. It is due to its desire to gain an electron and achieve a stable electron configuration. It readily reacts with other elements and compounds and forms chlorides.
3. Oxidation State: Chlorine displays oxidation states of -1, 0, +1, +3, +5, and +7. However, the most common oxidation state is -1.
4. Diatomic Molecule: Chlorine acts as a diatomic molecule, Cl2, in its elemental form.
5. Color and Odor: Chlorine gas is in a distinctive pale green color and has a pungent, irritating odor.
6. Solubility: Chlorine is soluble in water, and it reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hypochlorous acid (HClO).
7. Reactivity with Metals: Chlorine reacts with metals to form metal chlorides. For example, sodium reacts with chlorine to form sodium chloride (table salt): 2Na+Cl2→2NaCl
8. Bleaching Action: Chlorine is a powerful oxidizing agent and is commonly used as a bleach in various industries. It can break down the color-producing compounds through oxidation.
9.Disinfectant: Chlorine compounds are widely used as disinfectants in water treatment processes to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
10. Formation of Acids: Chlorine reacts with hydrogen to form hydrochloric acid (HCl) and with oxygen to form chlorine oxides. This can further react to form various acids.

5 Simple Methods to Calculate the Molar Mass of Chlorine

There are multiple methods to calculate the molar mass of CL2. We have picked out some of the most commonly used methods for your convenience. Here are five simple methods to calculate the CL2 molar mass:

Method 1: Use the Periodic Table

An effortless way of calculating the molar mass of CL2 is using the periodic table. On the periodic table, search for chlorine (CL); here, you will see the atomic mass, which is 35.45 grams per mole (approx). This particular value is the CL2 molar mass.

Method 2: For Diatomic Molecule Cl2

When working with Cl2, a diatomic molecule, calculate the CL2 molar mass by doubling the atomic mass of chlorine to account for the two chlorine atoms in each molecule.
For example, To determine the molar mass of CL2, multiply the atomic mass of chlorine (35.45 g/mol) by 2, resulting in approximately 70.90 g/mol.

Method 3: Applying Chemical Formulas

Using chemical formulas is the best way to handle chlorine compounds. Just find the molar mass by adding up the atomic masses of all the elements in the compound.
For example, in NaCl, the molar mass is derived by adding the atomic masses of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). So, NaCl has a molar mass of approximately 22.99 g/mol (Na) + 35.45 g/mol (Cl) = 58.44 g/mol.

Method 4: Percentage Composition

You can simply calculate the CL2 molar mass if you know the percent composition of chlorine.
For example, If a compound comprises 40% chlorine, the remaining 60% is occupied by other elements. You can calculate the molar mass by multiplying the composition percentage by the atomic mass of chlorine and other elements. Then, add these results.

Method 5: Using Avogadro's Number

The value of Avogadro’s number is 6.022140857×10^23 mol^−1(approx). Avogadro’s number is the total number of particles in 1 mole of a substance.
For example, if you have 2 moles of Cl atoms in Cl2, the molar mass is two times the atomic mass of Cl (35.45 g/mol), giving you 70.90 g/mol. This method works for any substance with chlorine.
Understanding molar mass is essential in chemistry for various calculations and understanding substance properties. It’s a basic skill that helps us work with different elements and compounds.

See An Example of Answering a Question Using Cl Molar Mass

When 250 g of magnesium reacted with an excess of iodine, 642 g of magnesium iodide was formed. Find the molar mass of the magnesium equivalent, its equivalent, and the number of equivalents in the sample in mol if the molar mass of the iodine equivalent is 126.9 g/mol.
Solution: From the formula of the MgI2 substance, it follows that 642 – 250 = 392 g of iodine are involved in the reaction. Since substances react in proportion to equivalents, you can set up a proportion:
m(Mg)/M(I)= Meq(Mg)/Meq(I)
250/392=x/126.9
Therefore, the molar mass of the magnesium equivalent Meq(Mg) is
x= Meq(Mg)
x= (250*126.9)/392
x ≈ 80.83 g/mol
So, the molar mass of the magnesium equivalent is approximately 80.83 g/mol.
To find the number of equivalents in the sample, we can use the given mass of magnesium and the molar mass of the magnesium equivalent: Number of equivalents (mol)=Mass of Magnesium (g)/Molar mass of magnesium equivalent(g/mol)
Number of equivalents=250/80.83
Number of equivalents ≈3.09mol
Therefore, the molar mass of the magnesium equivalent is approximately 80.83 g/mol, and the number of equivalents in the sample is approximately 3.09 mol.
Do You Still Need Help Calculating Molar Mass? Get Our Assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

Bond order is a simple way to describe an atom’s average number of bonds in a molecule. Bond order is calculated by dividing the number of atom bonds by the number of atoms it connects to. In CL2, each chlorine atom is connected by a single bond, so the bond order is 1.
The oxidation number of chlorine in CL2 is zero. Since Chlorine is in an elemental form, the oxidation number is zero.
To find the theoretical yield of Cl2 (chlorine gas), you need to know the balanced chemical equation for the reaction. The theoretical yield is the maximum amount of product you can get from the given reactants.
For example, in the reaction:
2 NaCl + 2 H2SO4 → 2 NaHSO4 + Cl2 + 2 H2O
If you have 2 moles of NaCl, the stoichiometry shows that you would theoretically produce 1 mole of Cl2. So, knowing the amount of the starting material, you can calculate the expected yield based on the balanced equation.

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