What is the common name of Calcium Hypochlorite?

Question

What is the common name of Calcium Hypochlorite?

1. A. Heavy water
2. B. Bleaching powder (Correct answer)
3. C. Baking soda
4. D. Baking powder

Correct Answer

Option B — Bleaching powder

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Bleaching powder.

Key Points

• Calcium Hypochlorite [Ca(ClO)₂] is commonly known as bleaching powder.
• It is widely used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent in water treatment and textile industries.

Additional Information

• Bleaching powder, Ca(ClO)₂, is made by passing chlorine over dry slaked lime and is used to disinfect drinking water and to bleach textiles and paper.
• Common name / formula pairs worth memorising: baking soda NaHCO₃, washing soda Na₂CO₃·10H₂O, caustic soda NaOH, quicklime CaO, slaked lime Ca(OH)₂, plaster of Paris CaSO₄·½H₂O and gypsum CaSO₄·2H₂O.
• It works by releasing chlorine, which oxidises the coloured compound — the same mechanism that kills microorganisms in water.
• Bleaching powder loses strength on storage as it slowly releases chlorine to the air.