Chemistry in Water
When chlorine is added to water, it reacts to form a pH dependent equilibrium mixture of chlorine, hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid :
- Cl2 + H2O → HOCl + HCl
Depending on the pH, hypochlorous acid partly dissociates to hydrogen and hypochlorite ions:
- HOCl → H+ + ClO-
In acidic solution, the major species are Cl2 and HOCl while in alkaline solution effectively only ClO- is present. Very small concentrations of ClO2-, ClO3-, ClO4- are also found.
Read more about this topic: Chlorination
Famous quotes containing the words chemistry and/or water:
“...some sort of false logic has crept into our schools, for the people whom I have seen doing housework or cooking know nothing of botany or chemistry, and the people who know botany and chemistry do not cook or sweep. The conclusion seems to be, if one knows chemistry she must not cook or do housework.”
—Ellen Henrietta Swallow Richards (1842–1911)
“As must have rung the harvest-song of Linos
Of bloody water in a heap of stones.”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)