Question detail
Which of the following statements best describes the role of chlorine in water treatment?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Group 7(17), the halogens
Question
- A. Chlorine acts as a reducing agent to remove impurities.
- B. Chlorine acts as an oxidizing agent to kill bacteria.
- C. Chlorine is used to increase the pH of water.
- D. Chlorine is used to soften hard water.
Answer
Chlorine acts as an oxidizing agent to kill bacteria.
Explanation
Chlorine is used in water treatment primarily as an oxidizing agent, which helps to kill bacteria and other pathogens, ensuring the water is safe for consumption. This is a crucial application of chlorine in public health.
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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