How does chlorine kill germs in a swimming pool?

Answer 1

The chlorine gas dissolves in the water to form the relatively weak acid hypochlorous acid

Cl2 + H2O --> HClO + HCl

Hypochlorous acid is a strong oxidizing agent though, and destroys the outer membranes/protein coat of almost all bacteria and viruses.

Take note that reaction must take place in dark. Otherwise, there is formation of undesirable HCL (which raises the saltiness of the water and decreases pH significantly) according to reaction

2HClO (sunlight)--> 2HCl + O2

This is the weak point of chlorination: the fact that once the water is exposed to sunlight the antimicrobial effect of the HClO is diminished. Also, chlorination may sometimes result in the formation of unwanted chlorohalogenic compounds which may be harmful to humans. Other methods are used to avoid these weaknesses. For more, visit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorination

Answer 2

The whole thiing stems from the structure of the chlorine atom. With an Atomic Number: 17 and Atomic Weight 35.5 it is a Halogen which means that it has only 7 electrons in the outermost shell of the atom - which should have 8 electrons to become a stable element. Because each atom of Chlorine is greedy for an additional electron - it snatches electrons from atoms of other elements to complete its outermost shell. It combines very well with Hydrogen to form HCl. Hydrogen chloride, when mixed with water (H2O), forms hydrochloric acid which is a strong acid. The hydrochloric acid attacks the semipermeable membranes of the germs and that means the end as far as those little germs go. Remember we prefer chlorinated water ....

Answer 3

Chlorine is a powerful oxidising agent which can oxidise even proteins.

Germs like bacterias are mainly made up of proteins and chlorine added oxidises (destroys) the proteins present in bacterias to sub products (harmless)

Thus the germs get killed

This can also be done with any oxidising agent like Potassium Permanganate, Potassium dichromate etc

Answer 4

Chlorine is a "contact poison". It oxidizes the cell membrane of algae and bacteria. Kills in less than half a second!

Answer 5

It acts as bleaching agent and kills the germs

Answer 6

chlorine is a burning agent or acid that feeds on most any org. matter

Answer 7

It breaks down the outer membrain and allow contaminates to get in!

Answer 8

it attacks the outer lining and dissolves them

Answer 9

It has certain chemicals, like rubbing alchol has.

Answer 10

same way it would kill you if you drank it straight