Chemistry - Complete Pblock- Question with Solution | TestHub

Chlorine ($C{l}_2$) is a powerful bleaching agent. It bleaches by oxidation, reacting with water to form hypochlorous acid ($HClO$), which is a strong oxidizing agent.

Explanation:

The bleaching action of halogens generally decreases down the group. Chlorine ($C{l}_2$) is a strong oxidizing agent and, in the presence of water, it forms hypochlorous acid ($HClO$):

$$C{l}_2+H_{2}O\to HCl+HClO$$

Hypochlorous acid is unstable and decomposes to release nascent oxygen, which oxidizes colored substances, making them colorless.

$$HClO\to HCl+[O]$$

Bromine ($B{r}_2$) and Iodine ($I_2$) are weaker oxidizing agents and thus less effective bleaching agents compared to chlorine. Hydrochloric acid ($HCl$) is an acid and does not act as a bleaching agent in this context.