What is the Difference Between Chlorine and Bleach?

Chlorine and bleach are both powerful disinfectants, but they have some key differences. Here are the main differences between chlorine and bleach:

1. Nature of the substance: Chlorine is a natural element, while bleach is a solution consisting of many elements.
2. Strength: Chlorine is the stronger chemical. When applied, a higher amount of bleach is needed to increase the chlorine level of water to the needed point, while a lesser amount of chlorine would be used.
3. Main chemicals: The main chemical in bleach and chlorine is calcium hypochlorite. In bleach, about 5.25% of chlorine is present in each gallon, with the remaining content being water and a small amount of salt that keeps the chlorine as a liquid. Chlorine contains calcium hypochlorite at a much higher rate.
4. pH: Chlorine has an atomic number of 17 and contains 17 electrons and 17 protons, with these electrons making up 3 electron shells. Bleach, on the other hand, has a pH that depends on its concentration and dilution.
5. Concentration: Both household (laundry) bleach and pool chlorine are sodium hypochlorite, commonly called chlorine. The only difference is the dilution. Household bleach typically has a standard concentration of 8.25%, while pool chlorine is usually around 10%, and industrial chlorine can be as high as 12.5%.

In summary, chlorine is a natural element and is the stronger chemical, while bleach is a solution with a varying concentration of calcium hypochlorite. They both have disinfecting properties, but their strength, chemical properties, and structures differ significantly.

Comparative Table: Chlorine vs Bleach

Chlorine and bleach are both chemical compounds used for cleaning and disinfecting purposes, but they have some key differences. Here's a table comparing their main characteristics:

Chlorine is a natural element with a wide range of industrial and scientific uses, while bleach is a manufactured solution primarily employed for cleaning, disinfecting, and cosmetic purposes. Bleach contains chlorine as an active ingredient, but it is not the same as chlorine gas. Chlorine is a stronger chemical than bleach, and its atomic number is 17, containing 17 electrons and 17 protons. Bleach, on the other hand, is a chemical product that often contains chlorine compounds and is used for whitening, disinfecting, and cleaning.