GCSE CHEMISTRY - What are the Uses of the Halogens? - What are the Uses of Chlorine, Iodine, Fluoride, Bromide and Iodide?

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What are the Uses of the Halogens?

The halogens have uses both as elements and compounds.

What are the Uses of Chlorine?

1. Chlorine is a disinfectant - it kills bacteria (see iodine below).
It is used to kill bacteria in drinking water and swimming pools.

2. Chlorine dissolved in sodium hydroxide solution is bleach.
It forms sodium chlorate(I) - NaOCl.
Domestic bleach contains about 5% NaOCl_(aq).

3. Chlorine dissolved in water forms
chloric(I) acid (HOCl_(aq)) + hydrochloric acid (HCl_(aq)).
Chloric(I) acid is also bleach.

4. Chlorine is used in the manufacture of many chemicals
including insecticides, CFCs and the polymer PVC.

What are the Uses of Iodine?

Iodine can also be used as an antiseptic to kill bacteria.

There is a difference between an antiseptic and a disinfectant.
They both kill germs but a disinfectant is stronger than an antiseptic.
An antiseptic is safe to use on the skin
to help prevent infection but a disinfectant will damage skin cells.

Iodine dissolved in alcohol (ethanol)
was commonly used as an antiseptic in the past.
It was called "Tincture of iodine".

Iodine plays an important role in the body
(see the uses of potassium iodide).

What are the Uses of Fluorides?

Fluorides are added to toothpaste and in some places added to
drinking water. It has been shown that fluorides can reduce
dental decay (damage to teeth) especially in young children.

What are the Uses of Bromides and Iodides?

Silver bromide and silver iodide are sensitive to light
and are used in photographic film.
Silver bromide is almost white, and when light falls on it,
it splits up into silver metal and bromine.
The silver metal appears as a black mark on the film,
producing a black and white (monochrome) negative.

See also the uses of sodium chloride and potassium iodide.

Links The Halogens Revision Questions

gcsescience.com The Periodic Table Index Periodic Table Quiz gcsescience.com

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