Final answer:
Chlorine reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), leading to a mixture that includes hydronium ions (H3O+) and chloride ions (Cl-). Disproportionation occurs as chlorine is both oxidized and reduced.
Step-by-step explanation:
When chlorine reacts with water, hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) are formed. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is incomplete in the question provided. However, the correct balanced equation would appear as:
Cl₂ (aq) + H₂O(l) → HOCl(aq) + H₃O⁺ (aq) + Cl⁻ (aq)
This reaction demonstrates a disproportionation reaction where chlorine is both oxidized and reduced. It leads to a mixture of chlorine molecules, hypochlorous acid molecules, hydronium ions, and chloride ions. Hydrogen chloride can be represented in water as:
HCl(aq) + H₂O(l) → H₃O⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq)
This equation shows hydrochloric acid dissociating into hydronium ions (H₃O⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻).