What is the Difference Between Sodium Hypochlorite and Bleaching Powder?

Sodium hypochlorite and bleaching powder are both bleaching agents, but they have different active ingredients and properties. The main differences between them are:

1. Active Ingredient: Sodium hypochlorite is an inorganic ionic compound consisting of sodium and hypochlorite ions, while bleaching powder consists of calcium hypochlorite as the major active ingredient.
2. Stability: Bleaching powder is considered more stable and has a higher chlorine content compared to sodium hypochlorite.
3. Applications: Both sodium hypochlorite and bleaching powder are used as bleaching agents, but they may have different industrial applications. For example, sodium hypochlorite is commonly used in household bleach, while bleaching powder is used in the textile industry and as a disinfectant.

In summary, sodium hypochlorite and bleaching powder are two types of bleaching agents with different active ingredients, stability, and applications. They can both be used for bleaching and disinfecting purposes, but their specific properties may make them more suitable for certain applications over others.

Comparative Table: Sodium Hypochlorite vs Bleaching Powder

Here is a table comparing the differences between sodium hypochlorite and bleaching powder:

Sodium hypochlorite is a white powder made up of chlorine and sodium hydroxide, which when combined with water creates a solution known as bleach. Bleaching powder, on the other hand, is a powder consisting of calcium hypochlorite and is mainly used to remove the color from materials. The key difference between sodium hypochlorite and bleaching powder is the active ingredient: sodium hypochlorite and bleaching powder have calcium hypochlorite as the major active ingredient.