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Name: nicole l weiss
Status: N/A
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999
Question:
How does chlorine kill bacteria, i.e. in a pool?


Replies:
Chlorine gas, Cl2, reacts with water to form OCl-, hypochlorite ion.

Cl2 (g) + H2O (l) -----> HCl (aq) + HOCl (aq)

OCl- is the active ingredient in bleach, by the way. This ion is a strong oxidizer and will oxidize certain chemicals in the bacteria that give them life.

-Joe Schultz


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