What is Chlorine? Facts about the Discovery and History of the Chlorine Element Chlorine was discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1774. While studying the action of hydrochloric acid upon the mineral pyrolusite, in 1774, Scheele obtained a yellowish, gaseous substance to which he gave a name in keeping with the phlogiston theory then current. Later it was supposed to be a compound containing Oxygen. In 1810, however, the English chemist Sir Humphry Davy proved it to be an element and named it chlorine. Carl Wilhelm Scheele Carl Scheele (9 December 1742 – 21 May 1786) was a German chemist who made a number of important chemical discoveries before many others but was rarely given the credit for his findings. For instance, although Scheele discovered oxygen Joseph Priestley published his findings first so was given the credit. Carl Scheele also identified molybdenum, Tungsten, barium, Hydrogen and chlorine before Humphry Davy and other scientists. 
Carl Scheele (1742 - 1786) Sir Humphry Davy Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) isolated sodium, Lithium, Potassium, barium, strontium, and Calcium by means of electrolysis; demonstrated the elementary nature of chlorine; invented the safety lamp; discovered the stupefying effects of nitrous oxide. 
Sir Humphry Davy (1778 - 1829) Chlorine as on the Periodic Table Check out Chlorine on the Periodic Table which arranges each chemical element according to its atomic number, as based on the Periodic Law, so that chemical elements with similar properties are in the same column. Our Periodic Table is simple to use - just click on the symbol for Chlorine as on the Periodic Table for additional information and for an instant comparison of the Atomic Weight, Melting Point, Boiling Point and Mass - G/cc with any other element. An invaluable source of facts and information as a Chemistry reference guide. Other elements classified as Halogens The other elements contained in this classification are as follows: - Fluorine
- Bromine
- Iodine
- Astatine
What is Chlorine - IUPAC and the Modern Standardised Periodic Table The Standardised Periodic Table in use today was agreed by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry, IUPAC, in 1985 and now recognises more periods and elements than Dimitri Mendeleev knew in his day in his day but still all fitting into his concept of the "Periodic Table" in which Chlorine is just one element that can be found. Learn about what is Chlorine with these fast facts... These articles contain facts and information relating to Chlorine and each of the other elements including the Periodic Symbol, group, classification, properties and atomic number which is often referred to as the Periodic Table Number. Test your knowledge of chemistry and the Periodic Table by completing the Element Symbols and Atomic Numbers on our Blank Periodic Table. Chemistry students will also find a helpful section on Chemical Formulas. |