Question

Bleaching properties of bleaching powder are due to its:
a.) Oxidizing properties
b.) Reducing properties
c.) Basic properties
d.) Disinfecting properties

Answer 1

Hint: Oxidizing property is observed when any chemical compound provides nascent oxygen. An oxidizing agent can also be defined as a compound that transfers oxygen atoms or gains electrons.

Complete step by step solution:
Let us know about bleaching powder!
Bleaching powder: Chemically, it is called calcium oxychloride. It is also called chloride of lime. It is manufactured by Hasenclever’s plant or in Bachmann’s plant by the reaction of dry slaked lime with chlorine gas.

${ Ca(OH) }_{ 2 }+{ Cl }_{ 2 }\longrightarrow { CaOCl }_{ 2 }+{ H }_{ 2 }O$

Let us known the properties of bleaching powder:
It is a pale yellow powder. It has a strong smell of chlorine.
It is soluble in water but a clear solution is never formed due to presence of impurities.
It loses chlorine by the action of carbon dioxide.

Chlorine bleaches by the process of oxidation. It needs moisture for its bleaching action. Chlorine reacts with water to form hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids.

${ Cl }_{ 2 }+{ H }_{ 2 }O\longrightarrow HCl+HClO$

As we can see hypochlorous acid is unstable, and it easily dissociates to form nascent oxygen.

$HClO\longrightarrow HCl+\left[ O \right]$

Nascent oxygen is a more powerful oxidizing agent. Its formation is responsible for the bleaching nature of chlorine in the presence of moisture.

Uses of Bleaching powder:
It is a strong oxidizing agent hence used as an oxidizer in many industries.
It is used as a disinfecting water to make potable water.

Therefore, Bleaching properties of bleaching powder are due to its Oxidizing properties. So, option A is the required answer!

Note: Bleach is not effective for all pathogens. Contrary to popular belief, bleach does not kill all bacteria. Hard water or extremely soiled surfaces also neutralize the chemical’s disinfecting properties. Surfaces must be cleaned particularly before being treated with bleach.