Why would an element like chlorine prefer to exist as a diatomic molecule instead of as an atom?

Explanation:

All the chemical elements of the universe tend to join with others to achieve the maximum possible stability.

Chlorine is an element of very high electronegativity (3.16), which means that in its atomical from is very likely to form molecular bonds with other atoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and itself. In doing so, chlorine wastes its energy to create these links, and as a result, loses some of its reactivity.

Once in this molecular state, it can only react when the activation conditions are sufficient to reach a higher level of stability.

explanation:

two years ago, when picking flowers in the mountains back of yosemite valley, i found a book. it was blotted and storm-beaten; all of its outer pages were mealy and crumbly. the paper seemed to dissolve like the snow beneath which it had been buried, however; many of the inner pages were well preserved. and although all were more or less stained and torn, whole chapters were easily readable. this is the condition of the great open book of yosemite glaciers today; its granite pages have been torn and blurred by the same storms that wasted the castaway book.

two years ago, when picking flowers in the mountains back of yosemite valley; i found a book. it was blotted and storm-beaten, all of its outer pages were mealy and crumbly. the paper seemed to dissolve like the snow beneath which it had been buried, however, many of the inner pages were well preserved. and although all were more or less stained and torn; whole chapters were easily readable. this is the condition of the great open book of yosemite glaciers today, its granite pages have been torn and blurred by the same storms that wasted the castaway book.