The average oxidation state of chlorine in bleaching powder is

Options

A. -1
B. `+1`
C. Zero
D. `-2" as well as "+2`

Answer

To find the average oxidation state of chlorine in bleaching powder (Ca(OCl)₂), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the chemical formula of bleaching powder
Bleaching powder is represented by the formula Ca(OCl)₂, which is calcium hypochlorite.

### Step 2: Determine the oxidation states of the elements in the compound
In the compound Ca(OCl)₂:
- Calcium (Ca) typically has an oxidation state of +2.
- The hypochlorite ion (OCl⁻) consists of one oxygen and one chlorine atom.

### Step 3: Assign oxidation states to the components of the hypochlorite ion
1. Oxygen (O) generally has an oxidation state of -2.
2. Let the oxidation state of chlorine in the hypochlorite ion be x.

The charge of the hypochlorite ion is -1:
\[ \text{Oxidation state of O} + \text{Oxidation state of Cl} = \text{Charge of the ion} \]
\[ -2 + x = -1 \]
Solving for x gives:
\[ x = -1 + 2 = +1 \]
So, in the hypochlorite ion, chlorine has an oxidation state of +1.

### Step 4: Determine the oxidation state of chlorine in the chloride ion
In bleaching powder, there are two different oxidation states of chlorine:
1. One chlorine atom is part of the hypochlorite ion (OCl⁻) with an oxidation state of +1.
2. The other chlorine atom is part of the chloride ion (Cl⁻) with an oxidation state of -1.

### Step 5: Calculate the average oxidation state of chlorine
To find the average oxidation state of chlorine, we take the sum of the oxidation states and divide by the number of chlorine atoms:
\[ \text{Average oxidation state} = \frac{\text{Sum of oxidation states}}{\text{Number of chlorine atoms}} = \frac{(+1) + (-1)}{2} \]
\[ = \frac{0}{2} = 0 \]

### Conclusion
The average oxidation state of chlorine in bleaching powder (Ca(OCl)₂) is **0**.

---