The chemical formula for chloride is Cl–. Chloride is an anion, which means it carries a negative charge. It is formed when chlorine, a halogen element, gains an electron. Chlorine exists as a diatomic molecule (Cl2) in its natural state, but when it interacts with other elements, it can accept an electron to become a chloride ion.
In many compounds, chloride pairs with a positively charged ion, such as sodium (Na+), to form sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt. Understanding this is important in various fields, such as chemistry and biology, as chloride plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular function, osmotic balance, and nerve impulse transmission in living organisms.