The bleaching action of chlorine is through the process?
Answer Details
The bleaching action of chlorine is through the process of oxidation. Chlorine is a strong oxidizing agent, which means that it is able to remove electrons from other molecules. In the presence of water, chlorine reacts with water molecules to form hypochlorous acid, which then breaks down into hypochlorite ions and hydrogen ions. The hypochlorite ions are responsible for the bleaching action.
When hypochlorite ions come into contact with a colored molecule, such as a dye or a pigment, they oxidize the molecule by removing electrons. This changes the chemical structure of the molecule, making it colorless. This is why chlorine is such an effective bleaching agent.
Oxidation is a chemical process in which a molecule loses electrons. This process is opposite to reduction, in which a molecule gains electrons. Chlorine is a strong oxidizing agent because it has a high tendency to attract electrons from other molecules. This makes it useful in a variety of applications, including water treatment and bleaching.