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Chapter 9: Problem 5

State whether the following statements are true or false. On long standing, bleaching powder undergoes autooxidation.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Yes, on long standing, bleaching powder undergoes autooxidation, causing it to lose its bleaching properties and effectiveness as a disinfectant.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Chemical Composition of Bleaching Powder

Bleaching powder, also known as Calcium hypochlorite, is a chemical compound with the formula Ca(OCl)₂. It is a yellowish-white powder that easily reacts with water and acids, producing chlorine gas. It is primarily used as a disinfectant, sanitizer, and bleaching agent.
02

Define Autooxidation

Autooxidation is a process in which a substance spontaneously undergoes oxidation, that is, it loses electrons or gains oxygen atoms, resulting in a change in its properties. This usually happens in the presence of air or other sources of oxygen.
03

Investigate Bleaching Powder's Autooxidation

Upon long standing, bleaching powder does indeed undergo autooxidation. The moisture in the air reacts with calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)₂), leading to the slow release of its chlorine content as chlorine gas (Cl₂) and the formation of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) as a byproduct: 2 Ca(OCl)₂ → 2 CaCl₂ + 2 Cl₂ This continuous release of chlorine gas causes the bleaching powder to lose its bleaching properties and become less effective as a disinfectant over time.
04

Determine the Statement's Veracity

Based on the explanation in Step 3, we can conclude that the statement "On long standing, bleaching powder undergoes autooxidation" is true. As the bleaching powder reacts with moisture in the air, it releases its chlorine content and becomes less effective as a bleaching agent and disinfectant.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

When rain water percolates into the cracks of \(\mathrm{RCC}\), it further gets weakened due to the (a) formation of \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\) (b) increase in \(\mathrm{pH}\) value (c) increase in the percentage of free lime (d) exothermic hydration process

Which property is imparted to glass by the addition of cerium oxide? (a) colour (b) resistance to breakage (c) increase of refractive index (d) protection from UV light

Which of the following reagents is used to test the presence of \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\) gas? (a) acidified potassium manganate (b) alkaline potassium manganate (c) alkaline potassium dichromate (d) acidified potassium dichromate

Which of the following reactions is called slaking of lime? (a) \(\mathrm{CaCO}_{3} \rightarrow \mathrm{CaO}+\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) (b) \(\mathrm{CaO}+2 \mathrm{HCl} \rightarrow \mathrm{CaCl}_{2}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) (c) \(\mathrm{CaO}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}+\) heat (d) \(\mathrm{CaCO}_{3}+\mathrm{NaCl} \rightarrow \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}+\mathrm{CaCl}_{2}\)

Which of the following statements is true about glass? (a) Arrangement of silicate units is similar to that of liquid state. (b) Arrangement of silicate units is similar to that of solid state. (c) It has low viscosity and hence is not a true solid. (d) It has high viscosity with sharp melting point and hence is a solid.
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