Chloride

What is Chloride?

Chloride is a tiny part of many things we see and use every day. It comes from chlorine, a kind of chemical. Chloride can be a piece with a negative charge, called an anion, or it can stick to another piece by a single bond.

Where We Find Chloride

We find chloride in many places! It is in seawater and special lakes like the Great Salt Lake in Utah and the Dead Sea in Israel. One of the most common chlorides is sodium chloride, which is table salt. Our bodies need chloride to help keep the right balance of fluids and to help nerves send signals.

Why Chloride is Important

Chloride is very important for our bodies. It helps keep the right balance of water and also helps our stomachs make a special acid that helps us digest food. We get chloride from the food we eat, like table salt.

Fun Uses of Chloride

Chloride has many uses. For example, calcium chloride can be used to keep roads from getting too icy in winter. It can also help dry out rooms and keep lawns healthy. Chloride is also used to make sure our drinking water is clean and safe.