Question

Give a reason to explain why: 

(a) bleaching powder smell strongly of chlorine?

(b) bleaching powder does not dissolve completely in water?

Answer 1

(a). Bleaching powder is produced by the action of chlorine on dry slaked lime according to the following reaction:-

Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂→ CaOCl₂ + H₂O

Hence, bleaching powder smell strongly of chlorine.

(b). Bleaching powder does not dissolve completely in water because bleaching powder is actually a quite complex molecule. It contains various other heavy calcium salts in it like calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide and calcium hypochlorite. These salts are insoluble in water. Hence, bleaching powder does not dissolve completely in water.