Klooriatomit

Klooriatomit refers to chlorine atoms. Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17. It is a halogen, meaning it belongs to group 17 of the periodic table. In its elemental form, chlorine is a diatomic molecule, Cl₂, which is a yellowish-green gas at room temperature.

A chlorine atom has a nucleus containing 17 protons and, in its most common isotope, 18 neutrons. Surrounding the nucleus are 17 electrons arranged in electron shells. The electron configuration of a chlorine atom is [Ne] 3s² 3p⁵. This means that the outermost electron shell, or valence shell, contains seven electrons.

Due to its nearly full valence shell, a chlorine atom has a strong tendency to gain one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, similar to that of the noble gas argon. This makes chlorine a highly reactive element. When a chlorine atom gains an electron, it becomes a chloride ion, Cl⁻, which carries a negative charge.

Chlorine atoms readily participate in chemical reactions, forming ionic bonds with metals (like sodium in sodium chloride, NaCl, or table salt) and covalent bonds with nonmetals (like in hydrogen chloride, HCl). These compounds are widespread in nature and are essential for many biological and industrial processes. While elemental chlorine gas is toxic and corrosive, chloride ions are vital for life, playing a role in nerve function and fluid balance in many organisms.