Question

Pick from the following one chemical used to disinfect water.

• A. Chlorine
• B. Washing soda
• C. Silica
• D. Coal

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Chlorine

The explanation for the correct answer:-

Chlorine:-

1. Chlorine is basically a very good oxidizer which will help in the killing of germs or pathogens by just breaking their bonds.
2. Generally, disinfectants which are used for the purpose of killing germs or pathogens consist of Chlorine which will help in the exchange of the atoms with the other different compounds (enzymes present in the bacteria or the other cells).
3. Chlorine ($\mathrm{Cl}$) just kills the harmful microorganisms which are bacteria or viruses that are present in the water.

The explanation for the incorrect answers:-

Option (B):- Washing Soda

1. The chemical formula for Washing soda is (${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3$), which is also known as Sodium carbonate.
2. Its main function is to convert the hard water to soft water.

Option (C):- Silica

1. It is actually a very hard, colourless chemical compound.
2. It is used as glass or ceramics in the chemical industry and is also used for the adsorption of impurities.

Option (D):- Coal

1. It is basically a combustible and black hard compound which is used as a fuel.
2. It also helps in the filtering of the impurities from the water but it doesn't help in the killing of the microbes.

Therefore, the correct answer is (A):- Chlorine.