Question

How does bleaching powder stop wool from shrinking?

Answer 1

Dear Student

Wool shrinks because of the heat and moisture present on its outer layer so when we use bleaching powder which is the strong oxidizing agent so it bleaches that is it removes the colouring matter from the wool along with the moisture and other factors which causes the wool to shrink as a result we get clean end product.\

Reaction showing the oxidation action of bleaching powder is as follows :

$$\begin{gathered} CaOC{l}_2+H_{2}O\to {Ca\left(OH\right)}_2+C{l}_2 \\ C{l}_2+H_{2}O\to \left[O\right]+2HCl \\ Coloured+\left[O\right]\to Colourless \end{gathered}$$


Regards