Question detail
What is the primary purpose of adding chlorine to drinking water?
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. To improve taste
- B. To kill harmful microorganisms
- C. To change the color of the water
- D. To increase the pH level
Answer
To kill harmful microorganisms
Explanation
Chlorine is used in water treatment primarily to disinfect water by killing harmful microorganisms, ensuring the water is safe for consumption.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Chlorine's Role
Students often confuse the role of chlorine in water treatment as solely a disinfectant, neglecting its role in oxidation and the formation of chlorinated compounds.
Chlorine acts as a strong oxidizing agent in water treatment. When chlorine is added to water, it reacts to form hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which kills bacteria and other pathogens. The reaction can be summarized as: Cl2 + H2O ⇌ HOCl + HCl. This shows that chlorine not only disinfects but also contributes to the formation of chlorinated by-products.
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