Final answer:
Chlorine is used to purify water due to its strong oxidizing properties, which allow it to destroy harmful organic and biological materials. The correct answer is b) Oxidizing properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chlorine is widely used to purify municipal water primarily because of its strong oxidizing properties. When chlorine is mixed with water, it forms hypochlorous acid, which is a powerful oxidant. This oxidant effectively destroys organic and biological materials, including harmful bacteria and viruses, thereby disinfecting the water. Thus, chlorine is not chosen for its reducing properties, neutralizing abilities, or acidic nature in the context of water purification.
The chemical reactions involving chlorine, such as the formation of hypochlorous acid (2HOCl(aq) + 2H₂O(l) → 2H3O+ (aq) + 2Cl⁻ (aq) + O₂(g)), demonstrate its role as an oxidizing agent. Chlorine's high electronegativity makes it more effective than many other potential disinfectants. It's used in various forms like chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite, and calcium hypochlorite in different applications for purifying water.
Given its effectiveness against pathogens like Escherichia coli and its role in bleaching and producing important chemical compounds, chlorine's oxidizing property is essential to many industries. However, when using chlorine, precautions are necessary to ensure safety as it can react with organic substances, such as the proteins in human hair and skin, producing unwanted by-products like chloramines.
The correct option in the final answer is b) Oxidizing properties.