The molecular formula of bleaching powder is

Options

A. CaOCl
B. `CaOCl_(2)`
C. `CaO_(2)Cl_(2)`
D. `Ca_(2)Cl`

Answer

To determine the molecular formula of bleaching powder, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Common Name
Bleaching powder is commonly known as calcium hypochlorite.

### Step 2: Write the Chemical Formula
The chemical formula for calcium hypochlorite is derived from its components: calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), and oxygen (O).

### Step 3: Determine the Composition
Calcium hypochlorite consists of:
- One calcium atom (Ca)
- Two chlorine atoms (Cl)
- Two oxygen atoms (O)

### Step 4: Combine the Elements
Putting these together, the molecular formula for bleaching powder (calcium hypochlorite) is:
\[ \text{Ca(OCl)}_2 \]
This can also be expressed as:
\[ \text{CaCl}_2\text{O}_2 \]

### Step 5: Finalize the Molecular Formula
Thus, the molecular formula of bleaching powder is:
\[ \text{Ca(OCl)}_2 \] or simply \[ \text{CaCl}_2\text{O}_2 \]

### Conclusion
The correct answer is that the molecular formula of bleaching powder is \( \text{Ca(OCl)}_2 \).

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