At room temperature and standard pressure, chlorine gas is in the state of matter called gas.
In chemistry, there are three main states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. The state of matter depends on the arrangement and movement of the particles that make up a substance.
Let's consider each state of matter one by one:
Solid: In a solid state, the particles are tightly packed together and have fixed positions. They vibrate in place but do not move around freely. Solids have a definite shape and volume. Examples of solids are a desk, a brick, or a piece of ice.
Liquid: In a liquid state, the particles are more spread out compared to solids. They have some freedom to move, but they still remain close to each other. Liquids can flow and take the shape of the container they are in. However, they still have a definite volume. Examples of liquids are water, milk, or oil.
Gas: In a gas state, the particles are far apart and move freely in all directions. They have much more energy compared to particles in solids or liquids. Gases do not have a definite shape or volume and can expand to fill the entire space they are contained in. Examples of gases are air, oxygen, or carbon dioxide.
Chlorine gas, at room temperature and standard pressure, exists as individual chlorine molecules that are far apart and move freely. Therefore, it is classified as a gas.