II.

Bleach Page 1

Topic II. Bleach

Reference Chemistry – A modern view Book 2 pg. 194–209

Reading

Objectives 7.2
– state that bleach is an important household chemical used in laundry and as a germicide
– recognise that 'chlorine bleach’ is manufactured from chlorine and alkali
– describe the manufacture of chlorine by the electrolysis of brine and its subsequent production of the chlorine
bleach
– understand the formation of chlorine on acidification of chlorine bleach
– recognise chlorine by its smell and effect on indicator paper
– recognise that chlorine is a poisonous, yellowish-green and acidic gas
– understand the oxidising property of chlorine water as illustrated by its action on potassium bromide and
potassium iodide solutions describe the action of chlorine bleach on coloured substances
– explain the bleaching action of chlorine bleach in terms of the oxidising action of hypochlorite ion
– recognise that sulphur dioxide/sulphite ion is an alternative industrial bleach
– describe the bleaching action of sulphur dioxide/sulphite ion on coloured matter
– explain the bleaching action of sulphur dioxide/sulphite ion in terms of the reducing properties of sulphite ion
– understand the reducing property of sulphur dioxide and sulphite ion as illustrated by their action on
(a) bromine water
(b) acidified potassium dichromate solution
– compare the bleaching action of sulphur dioxide and hypochlorite ion
– relate the different uses of chlorine and sulphur dioxide to their bleaching action
– describe the use of chlorine in sterilising drinking water and swimming pools
– recognise the advantages and the social problems related to the usage of chlorine and sulphur dioxide as a
bleach
– discuss the appropriateness of setting up local industrial plants for the production of chlorine and sulphur
dioxide in terms of
(a) ease of availability of resources
(b) demand for products
(c) environmental impact

Notes II. Bleach

Bleach (漂白劑) is a substance turning coloured dye to colourless. This is because most commonly used dyes (染
料), e.g. orange red II, are complex organic substances which would react with bleach to form a colourless
substance.

There are different kinds of bleaches i) chlorine bleach e.g. Cl2(aq), NaClO(aq) and Ca(ClO)2(s)
ii) sulphur dioxide bleach e.g. SO2(aq),

A. Chlorine Bleach

Chlorine bleach is manufactured from by dissolving chlorine in alkali.

Cl2(g) + 2OH-(aq) → ClO-(aq) + Cl-(aq) + H2O(l)

0 +1 -1
hypochlorite chloride
ion ion

Actually, it is a special redox reaction known as disproportionation reaction. i.e. an element, e.g. Cl, is both
oxidized and reduced at the same time.

– It is used in laundry to bleach clothes white or as a germicide / disinfectant (消毒劑) to kill germs in
water.
– e.g. bleaching powder with active ingredient – Calcium hypochlorite, Ca(ClO)2(s)
formed by 2Cl2(g) + 2Ca(OH)2(aq) → Ca(ClO)2(aq) + CaCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)
e.g bleaching solution with active ingredient – Sodium hypochlorite, NaClO(aq)
formed by Cl2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) → NaClO(aq) + NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
II. Bleach Page 2

1. Manufacturing of chlorine bleach

a) Flowing mercury cell (Electrolysis of brine - sea water)

At anode 2Cl-(aq) → Cl2(g) + 2e- (Cl2(g) does not react with graphite)

Graphite electrode is used because it is a cheap conductor. Moreover, it is very inert and does not
react with chlorine which is a very strong oxidizing agent capable to oxidize many metal electrodes.

At cathode Na+(aq) + e- + Hg(l) → Na/Hg(l) (Amalgam means mercury alloy; No free sodium metal is obtained)
sodium amalgam

Normally, aqueous sodium ion doesn't not discharge in electrolyte. However, the presence of
mercury will enhance the discharge of Na+(aq) to form stable sodium-mercury alloy (sodium
amalgam).

Everntually, Sodium amalgam is then directed to react with water to produce sodium hydroxide and
hydrogen..

2Na/Hg(l) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g) + 2Hg(l)

Mercury is recovered by reacting the sodium amalgam with water.

N.B. Sodium metal can only be obtained by electrolysis of molten sodium chloride.

b) Diaphragm cell

Use of flowing mercury cell may cause problem of mercury pollution.

Anode and cathode is separated by a porous diaphragm which is permeable to ion but impermeable to gas
molecule. The diaphragm keep the chlorine formed from the sodium hydroxide solution.

At anode 2Cl-(aq) → Cl2(g) + 2e-

At cathode 2H+(aq) + 2e- → H2(g)

During electrolysis, the H+(aq) ions and Cl-(aq) migrate to the cathode and anode separately and discharge. As the
concentration of H+(aq) and Cl-(aq) ions decrease. This leaves an excess of Na+(aq) and OH-(aq) ion in the solution.
II. Bleach Page 3
The solution will become a mixture of NaOH(aq) and NaCl(aq). NaCl can be removed by crystallization and leave
NaOH(aq) behind.

N.B. NaOH(s) (a deliquescent substance) is much more soluble than NaCl(s).

c) Chloro-alkali Industry

Besides chlorine, a lot of other products can be obtained, including, HCl(aq), NaOCl(aq), NaOH(aq).

2. Acidification of chlorine bleach

The reaction between chlorine and alkali is irreversible.

Cl2(g) + 2OH-(aq) → ClO-(aq) + Cl-(aq) + H2O(l)

0 +1 -1

On another end, hydrolysis of chlorine in water is a reversible reaction. An aqueous solution of chlorine is known
as chlorine water. It has a very pale yellowish-green appearance because of the presence of Cl2(aq) molecules.

Cl2(aq) + H2O(l) d HClO(aq) + HCl(aq) d 2H+(aq) + ClO-(aq) + Cl-(aq)

0 +1 -1 +1 -1
hypochlorus hydrochloric hypochlorite chloride
acid acid ion ion
(a weak acid) (a strong acid)

Since two acids, hypochlorus acid HClO(aq) and hydrochloric acid HCl(aq) are produced chlorine water is acidic.

Since the reaction is reversible, addition of acid to a substance containing ClO-(aq) and Cl-(aq), i.e. any chlorine
bleach, will liberated chlorine gas. As Cl2(g) evolved is toxic, bleach should never be mixed with acid at home.

2H+(aq) + ClO-(aq) + Cl-(aq) → H2O(l) + Cl2(g) / (aq)

N.B. Whether the chlorine liberated will be in gaseous state or in aqueous state is depending on the amount of
Cl2 molecules produced. If only a very small amount of Cl2 is produced, it will remain in solution form. If
a large amount of Cl2 is produced, the solution will become over-saturated and chlorine gas will be
liberated.
II. Bleach Page 4

Laboratory preparation of chlorine – by acidification of chlorine bleach

However, acidification of chlorine bleach can be used in laboratory to prepare chlorine water / gas.

2H+(aq) + ClO-(aq) + Cl-(aq) → H2O(l) + Cl2(g) / (aq)

Hypochlorite ion and chloride ion are present in all kind of chlorine bleach. They reforms chlorine in the
presence of acid.

3. Properties of chlorine

Chlorine is greenish yellow in colour. It has pungent smell and toxic. It was used as a gas warfare in World War
I. When dissolved in water, it gives a greenish yellow chlorine water.

a) Acidic properties

Cl2(g) forms strong hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq) and weak hypochlorous acid, HClO(aq) with water.

Cl2(g) water
→ Cl2(aq)
Cl2(aq) + H2O(l) d HCl(aq) + HClO(aq)
strong acid HCl(aq) → H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
weak acid HClO(aq) d H+(aq) + ClO-(aq)

b) Oxidizing properties

Chlorine has a very high electronegativity and accepts electron readily. Therefore, it is a strong oxidizing agent.
It reacts with all kinds of reducing agent.

Reduction Cl2(aq) + 2e- → 2Cl-(aq)

half equation oxidizing
agent

It is capable to oxidize Br-(aq) ion or I-(aq) to Br2(aq) and I2(aq) respectively.

e.g. Cl2(aq) + 2Br-(aq) → 2Cl-(aq) + Br2(aq)

pale colourless colourless orange / light brown
yellowish
green

e.g. Cl2(aq) + 2I-(aq) → 2Cl-(aq) + I2(aq)

pale colourless colourless brown
yellowish
green

This reaction is also known as a displacement reaction since a halogen (Br2 or I2) is displaced from halide ions
(Br- or I-) by another halogen (Cl2).

To confirm the presence of Br2, an organic solvent e.g. hexane, may be added into the solution to extract the Br2
from the aqueous layer. The organic solvent turns orange in the presence of Br2.

Br2(aq) organic
 → Br2(organic solvent)
solvent

orange / light brown orange

II. Bleach Page 5

Cl2(aq) hexane
pale
yellowish
green shake
orange
hexane
layer
KBr(aq) orange /
colourless light brown light orange
solution aqueous layer

Similarly, I2 in water is brown in colour, The presence of I2 may be confirmed by addition of an organic solvent.
I2 in organic solvent is purple in colour.

I2(aq) organic
 →
solvent
I2(organic solvent)
brown purple

Cl2(aq) hexane
pale
yellowish
green shake
purple
hexane
layer
KI(aq) brown
colourless solution light brown
aqueous layer

N.B. Indeed, pure black I2(s) crystal is not very soluble in water. However, in the presence of I-(aq) ion
(colourless), I2 molecule will form soluble triiodide ion, I3-(aq) (brown).

c) Bleaching properties

Cl2(g) water
→ Cl2(aq)
Cl2(aq) + H2O(l) d HCl(aq) + HClO(aq)

strong acid HCl(aq) → H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

weak acid HClO(aq) d H+(aq) + ClO-(aq)
hypochlorous hypochlorite
acid ion

In the presence of water, chlorine gives hypochlorous acid. It is not very stable. It tends to break up into Cl- ion
and O atom. Free O atom is a really strong oxidizing agent and oxidizes the coloured dye to colourless substance.

HClO(aq) → HCl(aq) + [O] [O] + dye → [dye + O]

oxygen coloured colourless
atom
Therefore, chlorine water is a very powerful bleach.

Because the acidic and bleaching properties of chlorine, chlorine turns moist blue litmus paper red and then
white (not colourless) slowly.

Note 1 : The bleaching action is arising from the free oxygen atom, dry chlorine gas does not show bleaching
properties.
Note 2 : Substance has colour because it absorbs certain visible light from the white light and reflects the
rest. e.g. leaf is green because it absorbs red and blue light and reflects green light. When the
structure of a substance is changed, the wavelength to be absorbed also changes. Because the band
width of visible region is so narrow in the electromagnetic spectrum, probably, a coloured
substance would become colourless if the structure is altered (改變改變).
改變
II. Bleach Page 6

Similarly, hypochlorite ion in the bleaching solution also bleaches in a similar way.

ClO-(aq) → Cl-(aq) + [O] [O] + dye → [dye + O]

hypochlorite chloride oxygen oxygen coloured colourless
ion ion atom atom

However, sodium hypochlorite or household bleach is alkaline. It will turn the wet litmus paper blue and then
white slowly.

If there is no dye for the free oxygen atoms to react with,

they will join together to form oxygen molecule.

[O] + [O] → O2(g)

Therefore, if chlorine water or sodium hypochrite solution

is left unattended, they will decompose slowly into
hydrochloric acid and sodium chloride solution
respectively.

2HClO(aq) → 2HCl(aq) + O2(g)

2NaClO(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + O2(g)

Furthermore, the decomposition reaction is accelerated by

light energy.

B. Sulphur dioxide bleach

SO2(aq) is a bleach used to bleach the newspaper white. It is a weaker bleaching agent than chlorine. Chlorine is
too strong and may cause damage to the paper fibre.

Bleaching action – by reduction

SO2(aq) + H2O(l) + dye → SO42-(aq) + 2H+(aq) + [dye - O]

coloured colourless

The structure of the coloured dye is altered and becomes a colourless substance.

1. Properties of sulphur dioxide

a) Acidic properties

SO2(g) is highly soluble in water. SO2(aq) forms sulphurous acid (H2SO3(aq)), a weak acid, with water.
SO2(g) water
→ SO2(aq)
SO2(aq) + H2O(l) d H2SO3(aq)
H2SO3(aq) d 2H+(aq) + SO32-(aq)
II. Bleach Page 7

b) Reducing properties

SO2(aq) is a reducing agent, it reacts with oxidizing agent readily.

Oxidation half equation SO2(aq) + 2H2O(l) → SO42-(aq) + 4H+(aq) + 2e-

or SO32-(aq) + H2O→ SO42-(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2e-

e.g. SO2(aq) + 2H2O(l) + Br2(aq) → SO42-(aq) + 4H+(aq) + 2Br-(aq)

yellow colourless

e.g. 3SO2(aq) + Cr2O72-(aq) + 2H+(aq) → 3SO42-(aq) + 2Cr3+(aq) + H2O(l)

orange green

c) Bleaching properties

Because of the acidic and reducing properties, SO2(aq) is capable to turns blue litmus paper red and then white.

SO2(aq) + H2O(l) + dye → SO42-(aq) + 2H+(aq) + [dye - O]

coloured colourless

SO2(aq) bleaches dye by reduction. However, the bleaching effect of SO2(aq) is not permanent. The colourless
reduced dye, [dye - O], may be oxidized by the oxygen in air. Newspaper turns pale yellow gradually upon
exposure to sunlight in the presence of air for a long time.

Similar to chlorine bleach, sulphur dioxide only bleaches in the presence of water.

C. Chlorine bleach vs Sulphur dioxide bleach

Chlorine water / chlorine bleach Aqueous sulphur dioxide

1. Active ingredient (有效成份) Cl2(aq), NaClO(aq) or Ca(ClO)2(s) SO2(aq)
2. Species responsible for the HOCl(aq) / OCl-(aq) SO2(aq)
bleaching.
3. Water is required. Yes Yes
4. Does it bleach by oxidation or by oxidation (dye + O) by reduction (dye - O)
reduction?
5. What does it bleach? dyes with colourless oxidized forms dyes with colourless reduced forms
6. Rate of bleaching bleaching action is faster and more bleaching action is slower and
vigorous milder
7. Is the bleaching effect bleaching effect can last for a long bleaching effect is not permanent
permanent (永久)? time and original colour will be restored
later in the presence of air.
8. Toxicity Very Toxic Less Toxic
9. Suitable for bleaching of cotton, linen (麻) and plant fibres More delicate material. e.g. wool
(羊毛), silk (絲), flour (麵粉).

Besides used as a bleach, chlorine is also used in sterilizing drinking water and swimming pools. For the sake of
convenience and safety, sometimes bleaching powder (calcium hypochlorite) is used instead of chlorine gas to
sterilize swimming pools water.
II. Bleach Page 8

D. Advantage and problem of using bleach

Advantage Problem

E. Appropriateness of setting up local industrial plants for the production of Cl2(g) and SO2(g)

1. Ease of availability of resources – raw material, water supply, fuel, land, labour
2. demand for product – customer, transport
3. environmental impact – water, noise, air pollution and potential hazard e.g. explosion.

Glossary bleach germicide hypochlorite disproportionation reaction flowing mercury cell

amalgam diaphragm cell chloro-alkali industry pungent dye extract spectrum

Past Paper 92 I 5 b i ii iii

Questions 95 I 6 a i 95 I 8 b i ii iv v
97 I 8 a i ii iii iv
98 I 3 b 98 I 9 b i ii iii iv

92 I 5 b i ii iii
5 Sodium hydroxide can be manufactured by the electrolysis of concentrated sodium chloride solution in the
following set-up, where A and B are inert electrodes.

(Relative atomic masses: Na = 23.0; Cl = 35.5 ;

Molar volume of gas at room temperature and pressure = 24.0 dm3)
5b A domestic bleach can be prepared from the products obtained in the above electrolysis.
i Write a balanced equation for the formation of the domestic bleach. 1
Cl2 + 2OH- → Cl- + ClO- + H2O or Cl2 + 2NaOH → NaCl + NaOCl + H2O 1 mark
C Many candidates were not aware that domestic bleach is usually made from the products of electrolysis (chlorine
and sodium hydroxide):
Cl2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + NaOCl(aq) + H2O(l)
ii Name the active ingredient in the domestic bleach. 1
Sodium hypochlorite / sodium chlorate(I) / hypochlorite ion / chlorate(I) ion 1 mark
[Correct spelling is required. Do NOT accept hypochlorous acid / chloric(I) acid.]
C Hypochlorous acid was the most common answer given by candidates. This reflected their ignorance of the
reaction in (b) (i).
iii The following label is displayed on a container of the domestic bleach: 4
II. Bleach Page 9

(1) Why should the bleach be kept out of the reach of children ? Suggest TWO potential hazards.
(2) Explain why the bleach should be
(I) stored in a cool place.
(II) kept away from acids.
(1) domestic bleach (chlorine gas) is irritating / poisonous (toxic) / corrosive. (any 2) 1 + 1 marks
(2) (I) rate of decomposition is slower / does not decompose so easily in a cool place 1 mark
or rate of decomposition is faster at higher temperatures
(II) reacts to give chlorine (poisonous) gas which is poisonous / reacts with acid and the bleach deteriorates
(loses its function). 1 mark
C (2) (I) Most candidates gave rather bookish answers e.g. that hypochlorous acid (chloric(I) acid) decomposed
upon exposure to light.
In fact their answers should have focused on the effect of temperature on the rate of decomposition of
OCl-(aq) because at higher temperatures the rate of decomposition is faster.
(II) Candidates often gave superficial answers such as: "Bleach should be kept away from acid because it
reacts with acids." Such answers would not satisfy the examiners and should be avoided as far as
possible.

95 I 6 a i
6a The illustration below shows the plastic bottle of a domestic toilet cleaner and its label.

i Explain, with the help of a chemical equation, why the toilet cleaner should not be mixed with bleaches. 3
The H+ ions / acid (in the toilet cleaner) will react with the bleach (ClO- and Cl-) to give chlorine which is
poisonous / toxic. 2 marks
Cl- + ClO- + 2H+ → Cl2 + H2O 1 mark
or, NaOCl + 2HCl → NaCl + H2O + Cl2 (1)
or, H+ ions will react with the bleach (SO32- in SO2 bleaches) (1)
to give SO2 which is poisonous / toxic. (1)
SO32- + 2H+ → SO2 + H2O (1)
C Some candidates stated that the toilet cleaner should not be mixed with bleaches because they wrongly thought
that it is an acid and the bleach is an alkali. Some wrongly mentioned that the active ingredient of the bleach is
HOCl. Many did not write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction.

95 I 8 b i ii iv v
8b Small swimming pools usually use sodium hypochlorite solution rather than chlorine gas to sterilize the pool
water.
(Relative atomic masses: O = 16.0, Na = 23.0, Cl = 35.5)
i Suggest ONE reason for using sodium hypochlorite solution rather than chlorine gas in small swimming pools. 1
Sodium hypochlorite solution is easy to handle / leakage of toxic chlorine gas may require the evacuation of
people living nearby / chlorine is stored in heavy steel cylinder which is difficult to transport. 1 mark
II. Bleach Page 10
C Many candidates thought that chlorine causes a greater irritation to the eye as compared with hypochlorite
solutions. Some simply wrote that chlorine is toxic without mentioning the problem of leakage of this toxic gas.
Candidates were not aware of the fact that sodium hypochlorite solution is easy to handle as compared with
chlorine gas.
ii Suggest ONE chemical test to show the presence of hypochlorite ions in a sample of pool water. State the 2
observable change in the test.
Test with litmus paper (solution) / dye / pH paper, the colour of the indicator / dye will be bleached. 2 marks
(Do not accept blue litmus turn red and then white, pool water is alkaline.)
or, Add dilute acid to the sample, greenish yellow / choking / pungent chlorine gas will be given off. (2)
or, Add some pool water to a test tube containing potassium iodide solution, brown colour of iodine will appear.
(2)
(Do not accept formation of O2 under sunlight)
C Most candidates were not aware that sodium hypochlorite solutions are alkaline. They thought that a piece of
blue litmus paper will turn red and then white when it is dipped into a hypochlorite solution.
iv What would be observed if a petal of red flower was put into a sodium hypochlorite solution ? Using an equation, 2
explain this observation.
The red colour of the petal is bleached / pink / faded / white / decolourized. 1 mark
OCl- + dye → Cl- + (dye + O) / (dye–O) 1 mark
or, NaOCl + dye → NaCl + (dye + O) / (dye–O)
(Do not accept HOCl + dye → HCl + (dye + O))
C Many candidates mentioned that the petal changed to colourless which was not an acceptable answer. Some
candidates wrote an equation illustrating the bleaching action of HOCl rather than that of OCl-.
v Briefly describe how sodium hypochlorite solution can be produced industrially. 3
Electrolysis of brine / concentrated solution of NaCl, 1 mark
produces chlorine gas (at the anode) and NaOH solution (from the electrolyte). 1 mark
Allow chlorine and NaOH to react to give NaOCl. 1 mark
(Do not accept equations)
C Candidates were generally weak in describing the industrial preparation of sodium hypochlorite. Most of them
simply wrote that sodium hypochlorite is prepared by mixing chlorine and sodium hydroxide without mentioning
that the two substances are produced by the electrolysis of brine.

97 I 8 a i ii iii iv
8a A class of students visited a chemical plant which manufactures chlorine by the electrolysis of brine. Some of the
chlorine produced is used to make chlorine bleach. At the end of the visit, each student was given a bottle of
chlorine bleach as a gift.
i Explain, in terms of preferential discharge of ions, how chlorine is produced in the electrochemical process. 3
During electrolysis, both Cl- and OH- ions migrate towards the anode / +ve electrode. 1 mark
Since the concentration of Cl- ions is (much) higher than that of OH- / a concentrated NaCl (brine) is used
1 mark
Cl- ions will be discharged (in preference of OH-) at the anode to give chlorine 1 mark
or, 2Cl- → Cl2 + 2e-
C In part (i), many candidates did not mention that both Cl- and OH- ions migrate towards the anode during the
electrolysis. These candidates failed to present a complete picture of the events happening in a certain scenario.
Many candidates wrongly thought that potassium iodide is brown and/or chlorine acts as a bleaching agent in
this reaction. As a result, they wrote that the filter paper changed from brown to colourless.
ii The students found some metal cylinders containing chlorine in the chemical plant. The students were told that 2
these cylinders would be used in water treatment plants.
(1) Which one of the following hazard warning labels should be displayed on the metal cylinders ?

(2) Explain why chlorine is used in water treatment plants.

(1) B / toxic (mark the first answer only if more than 1) 1 mark
(2) chlorine can kill the bacteria / germs in water / sterilize water. 1 mark
iii Suggest ONE product, apart from chlorine and chlorine bleach, likely to be manufactured in the chemical plant. 1
sodium hydroxide / hydrochloric acid / hydrogen (no mark for hydrogen chloride) 1 mark
iv When the students returned to the school, their teacher asked them to carry out an experiment using the chlorine 3
bleach as illustrated below.
II. Bleach Page 11

(1) Write the ionic equation for the reaction of dilute hydrochloric acid with the chlorine bleach.
(2) State the observable change that would occur on the filter paper. Explain whether or not the change would
involve a redox reaction.
(1) 2H+ + OCl- + Cl- → H2O + Cl2 1 mark
(2) a brown colour is observed. 1 mark
A redox reaction has occurred because
the oxidation no. of Cl chances (from 0 to -1) or the oxidation no. of I chances (from -1 to 0) 1 mark

98 I 3 b
3 Consider the following substances:
sodium benzoate, sodium chloride, sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydrogencarbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium
sulphite and monosodium glutamate
3b Which substance is commonly used as an active ingredient in toilet disinfectants ? Briefly explain its action. 2

98 I 9 b i ii iii iv
9b Each of the following experiments produces a sodium hydroxide solution.

i What would be observed when a small piece of sodium is added to water ? 2

ii Explain whether experiment I or experiment II is preferred for preparing a sodium hydroxide solution. 1
iii During the electrolysis of brine, chlorine and hydrogen are liberated at the anode and cathode respectively. A 4
sodium hydroxide solution remains in the electrolytic cell after some time.
(1) Explain why hydrogen, instead of sodium, is liberated at the cathode.
(2) Suppose that 50.0 cm3 of hydrogen is liberated at the cathode at room temperature and pressure. Deduce the
theoretical volume of chlorine liberated at the anode under the same conditions.
(3) Explain why a sodium hydroxide solution remains in the electrolytic cell.
iv Draw a labelled diagram to show the laboratory set-up for the electrolysis of brine and the collection of the 3
gaseous products
II. Bleach Page 12
90 47
B 47 The bleaching action of sulphur dioxide is not permanent. Sulphur dioxide reacts with water to form a weak acid.

91 12
C 12 Which of the following tests should be used to detect the
presence of sulphite ions in a give solution X ?
A. On adding barium chloride solution to X, a white
precipitate is formed.
B. On adding lead(II) nitrate solution to X, a white
precipitate is formed.
C. On adding dilute sulphuric acid to X, a colourless gas
is evolved which can decolorize acidified potassium
permanganate solution.
D. On adding dilute nitric acid to X, a reddish-brown gas
is evolved.

91 14
A 14 Sulphur dioxide is passed into a test-tube containing
potassium dichromate solution acidified with dilute
sulphuric acid. The colour of the solution gradually
changes from orange to green.
Which of the following statements concerning the above
experiment is correct ?
A. Sulphur dioxide is oxidized to sulphate.
B. The green colour is due to the presence of Cr2+(aq) ions
C. The dilute sulphuric acid acts as a catalyst.
D. The oxidation number of chromium changes from +7 to
+2 in the reaction

91 43
D 43 Cl2(aq) + 2I-(aq) → I2(aq) + 2Cl-(aq)
Which of the following statements concerning the above
reaction are correct ?
(1) I-(aq) acts as a reducing agent.
(2) Chlorine is a stronger oxidizing agent than iodine.
(3) The reaction is displacement reaction.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

93 15
B 15 The oxidation number of copper remains unchanged when
A. magnesium ribbon is added to copper(II) sulphate
solution.
B. sodium carbonate solution is added to copper(II) nitrate
solution.
C. carbon is heated with copper(II) oxide.
D. copper foil is burnt in chlorine.

94 14
A 14 Some chlorine water was exposed to sunlight (Diagram A);
a gas X was collected after some time (Diagram B).

Which of the following statements concerning gas X is

correct ?
II. Bleach Page 13
A. It can relight a glowing splint.
B. It has a pungent smell.
C. It can turn wet blue litmus paper red and then white.
D. It can give a 'POP' sound with a burning splint.

94 21
C 21 A solution of chlorine in tetrachloromethane is shaken with
an aqueous solution of a compound X in a test tube. On
standing, two layers are formed in the test tube and lower
layer is violet in colour. X may be
A. sodium fluoride.
B. sodium bromide.
C. sodium iodide.
D. sodium sulphite.

96 13
A 13 Which of the following substances is NOT derived from
petroleum ?
A. bleach
B. ethanol
C. polystyrene
D. soapless detergent

96 15
A 15 Which of the following substances, when mixed, will
undergo a reaction ?
A. vinegar and anti-acid
B. bleach and anti-acid
C. vinegar and table salt
D. bleach and table salt

96 21
B 21 Which of the following statements concerning chlorine is
INCORRECT ?
A. It can kill germs.
B. It can turn bromine water colourless.
C. It can oxidize iodide ions to iodine molecules.
D. It can be produced by the reaction between dilute
sulphuric acid and sodium hypochlorite solution.

96 37
D 37 In which of the following reactions does sulphur dioxide act
as a reducing agent ?
(1) the production of sulphuric acid in the contact process
(2) the bleaching of a red petal
(3) the decolorization of bromine water
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

97 21
C 21 The following equation represents the reaction of chlorine
with dilute sodium hydroxide solution at room temperature:
Cl2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + NaClO(aq) + H2O(l)
Which of the following statements concerning this reaction
is correct ?
A. Chlorine is oxidized and sodium hydroxide is reduced.
B. Chlorine is reduced and sodium hydroxide is oxidized.
C. Chlorine is simultaneously oxidized and reduced.
D. Sodium hydroxide is simultaneously oxidized and
reduced.
II. Bleach Page 14
97 45
B 45 Newspapers gradually turn yellow in air. Sulphur-containing pollutants are present in air.

98 12
C 12

A gas X is bubbled into a solution of Y as shown in the

above diagram. In which of the following combinations
would X react with Y ?
X Y
A. ammonia potassium iodide
B. chlorine potassium nitrate
C. carbon dioxide sodium hydroxide
D. sulphur dioxide iron(II) sulphate

98 32
D 32 Which of the following combinations is correct ?
Sulphur dioxide bleach Chlorine bleach
A. The active ingredient is The active ingredient is
SO42-(aq). OCl-(aq)
B. It bleaches by oxidation. It bleaches by reduction.
C. Its bleaching action is Its bleaching action is
faster. slower.
D. Its bleaching effect is Its bleaching effect is
temporary. relatively long-lasting.

98 42
A 42

Which of the following statements concerning the gas

produced in the above experiment are correct ?
(1) It is toxic.
(2) It is readily soluble in 1,1,1-trichloroethane.
(3) It can turn red litmus solution blue and then colourless.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

99 10
D 10 Which of the following statements concerning bromine and
chlorine is INCORRECT ?
A. They exist as diatomic molecules.
B. Their atoms have the same number of outermost shell
electrons.
C. They form ions with a single negative charge.
D. Bromine is a stronger oxidizing agent than chlorine.
II. Bleach Page 15

99 29
* D 29 Which of the following statements concerning household
bleach is correct ?
A. The active ingredient of household bleach is sodium
hydroxide.
B. Household bleach is produced by dissolving chlorine in
water.
C. Household bleach can be used as a drain opener.
D. The raw material for manufacturing household bleach
is sodium chloride.

99 37
A 37 Which of the following substances can react with
magnesium to give a colourless gas which burns with a 'pop'
sound ?
(1) grapefruit juice
(2) citric acid crystals
(3) household bleach
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

2000 14
B 14 Which of the following solutions can react with bromine
water to give a colourless solution ?
A. sodium chloride solution
B. sodium sulphite solution
C. sodium iodide solution
D. sodium hypochlorite solution

2000 21
A 21 Which of the following processes requires a catalyst ?
A. preparation of ethyl ethanoate from ethanoic acid and
ethanol
B. conversion of sulphur trioxide to concentrated
sulphuric acid
C. manufacture of chlorine bleach from brine
D. reduction of iron(III) oxide to iron

2000 44
D 44 Which of the following statements concerning sulphur
dioxide are correct ?
(1) It can be prepared by heating copper turnings with
concentrated sulphuric acid.
(2) It is denser than air.
(3) It can be absorbed by sodium hydroxide solution.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

2000 47
F F 47 Chlorine is a better bleaching agent for silk than sulphur Chlorine bleaches by reduction.
dioxide.