Question detail
Describe the role of chlorine in water treatment and explain why its use can be controversial.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Group 7(17), the halogens
Question
Describe the role of chlorine in water treatment and explain why its use can be controversial.
Answer
Chlorine is used in water treatment to kill bacteria and other pathogens, ensuring the water is safe for drinking. However, its use can be controversial due to the formation of harmful by-products, such as trihalomethanes, which may pose health risks.
Explanation
This answer is strong as it outlines both the beneficial role of chlorine in disinfecting water and the potential health risks associated with its by-products. It tests the ability to evaluate the benefits and risks of chlorine use in a practical context.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Disproportionation
Students often confuse disproportionation reactions with simple redox reactions, failing to recognize that in disproportionation, the same element is both oxidized and reduced.
To clarify, remember that in a disproportionation reaction, such as chlorine reacting with water, chlorine is oxidized to form chloride ions and reduced to form hypochlorous acid. Write the half-equations to show the oxidation and reduction processes clearly.
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