Chlorine

Chlorine belongs to the halogens. The elemental, gaseous chlorine is composed of Cl₂ molecules (consisting of two chlorine atoms). According to its position within the halogens, chlorine is easily forming negatively charged ions (Cl^-, chloride). The strong acidity of chloric acid (hydrogen chlorid) is corresponding to this tendency. The negatively charged chloride is present in many salts, as for example in common salt (sodium chloride).