What is the main use of the bleaching substance formed by the reaction of sodium hydroxide and chlorine?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: Bleaching in textile and paper industries
Cold, dilute chlorine reacts with sodium hydroxide to produce sodium hypochlorite: Cl₂ + 2NaOH → NaCl + NaOCl + H₂O. Hypochlorite is a bleaching and disinfecting substance, so it is used to remove colour from materials such as textiles and paper. Option A is correct. It does not sweeten food, convert metals into gold, or acidify drinking water.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct answer to this question?
Bleaching in textile and paper industries
Why is this the correct answer?
Cold, dilute chlorine reacts with sodium hydroxide to produce sodium hypochlorite: Cl₂ + 2NaOH → NaCl + NaOCl + H₂O. Hypochlorite is a bleaching and disinfecting substance, so it is used to remove colour from materials such as textiles and paper. Option A is correct. It does not sweeten food, convert metals into gold, or acidify drinking water.
Which subject and chapter does this question cover?
This is a Class 10 Science question. Chapter: Chemical Substances – Nature and Behaviour. Topic: Acids, Bases, and Salts.