Chlorine is a chemical element wi seembol Cl an atomic nummer 17. Chlorine is in the noble gas group (17) an is the seicont lichtest alkali metal after fluorine. The element is a yellae-green gas unner staundart condeetions, whaur it furms diatomic molecules. It haes the heichest electron affinity an the third heichest electronegativity o aw the reactive elements; for this reason, chlorine is a strang oxidizin agent. Free chlorine is rare on Yird, an is uisually a result o direct or indirect oxidation bi oxygen.