When pure chlorine liquid is exposed to the atmosphere, it expands by how many times its volume?

When pure chlorine liquid is exposed to the atmosphere, it is known to expand rapidly as it converts to gas. The correct answer indicates that this expansion ratio is approximately 457 times its initial liquid volume. This significant expansion is due to the physical properties of chlorine as a gas when it is vaporized from its liquid state.

Understanding this expansion is crucial for operators because it affects how chlorine is managed in water treatment processes, particularly regarding safety and system design. Chlorine's large expansion factor means that when handling liquid chlorine, operators must account for this change when developing systems for gas dispersion, ensuring that areas around chlorine storage and use are ventilated and safe. This knowledge helps prevent dangerous situations, such as the building of high-pressure gas concentrations in enclosed spaces.

In contrast to the other choices, while some may seem close, 457 times is the precise figure recognized within the context of chlorine's behavior under normal temperature and pressure conditions. This definitive number is widely accepted in both chemical engineering and safety protocols related to chlorine use in water treatment facilities.