Account for bleaching of flowers by chlorine is permanent while that b

1.	Account for bleaching of flowers by chlorine is permanent while that by sulphur dioxide is temporary why?
Answer» In the presence of moisture, chlorine acts as an oxidizing agent and a bleaching agent. Cl₂ + H₂O → HCl + HOCl Unstable HOCl → HCl + O Nascent oxygen Coloured mater + O → Colourless matter. The bleaching action is permanent due to nascent oxygen. Bleaching action of SO₂ in presence of moisture is due to nascent hydrogen. 2SO₂ + 2H₂O → H₂SO₄ + 2H Coloured matter + H → coloures matter So, bleaching action of SO₂ is temporary.

Account for bleaching of flowers by chlorine is permanent while that by sulphur dioxide is temporary why?

Answer»

In the presence of moisture, chlorine acts as an oxidizing agent and a bleaching agent.

Cl₂ + H₂O → HCl + HOCl

Unstable

HOCl → HCl + O Nascent oxygen

Coloured mater + O → Colourless matter.

The bleaching action is permanent due to nascent oxygen. Bleaching action of SO₂ in presence of moisture is due to nascent hydrogen.

2SO₂ + 2H₂O → H₂SO₄ + 2H

Coloured matter + H → coloures matter

So, bleaching action of SO₂ is temporary.