Final answer:
The chemical name for liquid chlorine is sodium hypochlorite, a widely used disinfectant and bleach in dilute solution, prepared through the electrolysis of sodium chloride solutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical name of liquid chlorine is sodium hypochlorite. Sodium hypochlorite is most commonly known as a bleach or disinfectant and is recognized for its pale greenish-yellow dilute solution. It is widely used for its abilities to clean and bleach various items. The commercial preparation of sodium hypochlorite involves the electrolysis of sodium chloride solutions, allowing chlorine and hydroxide ions to react, forming the bleach. More importantly, it is noteworthy that sodium hypochlorite solutions, such as liquid bleach, release chlorine over time, hence securing their spot as a convenient source for chlorination, especially in water treatment.
Sodium hypochlorite is also an essential disinfectant used in swimming pools and by the food processing and restaurant industries to reduce the spread of foodborne diseases while maintaining consumer safety. It is an inexpensive and effective germicide, with various concentrations available for different disinfecting purposes, the most encountered concentration being around 7.4% NaOCl by mass.