Question

Bleaching action of so2 and cl2 respectively due to

Answer 1

Both sulphur dioxide and chlorine are good bleaching agents. Bleaching action of chlorine is based on oxidation while that of sulphur is based on reduction.

Chlorine acts with water to produce nascent oxygen. This oxygen combines with colourd substance and makes it colourless.

Sulphour dioxide removes oxygen from the coloured substance and makes it colourless. But atmospheric oxygen slowly takes place of the removed oxygen and because of which the material regains the colour.