Question

The effective component of bleaching powder are .............. of calcium
A. Chlorine
B. Bromine
C. Aluminium
D. Calcium

Answer 1

Hint: The other name of bleaching powder is calcium hypochlorite. Thus it contains calcium, oxygen and chlorine atoms.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
Chlorine is a halogen element.
The chemical formula of bleaching powder is $Ca(OCl)Cl$ . Thus bleaching powder contains chlorine atoms and calcium atoms. So, chlorine is widely used as a bleaching agent.
Thus we can write that the effective component of bleaching powder is chlorine or calcium.
Thus the correct option is A.

Additional information: Chlorine is highly and widely used as an antiseptic because it can destroy viruses and bacteria that cause several diseases by breaking the bond of the molecules. Chlorine dioxide is highly oxidant. It can be used to kill bacteria, viruses etc present in laboratory, clinic, home etc. That’s why chlorine is widely and highly used in sterilisation of medical clinics, medical laboratories, rooms etc. Chlorine is not used in the extraction of silver and copper.

Note: Chlorine is highly used as a bleaching agent, sterilisation and preparation of antiseptic. The nascent oxygen prepared by chlorine in presence of moisture helps in the bleaching.