What gas is produced by mixing household bleach with vinegar?

What gas is produced by mixing household bleach with vinegar?

• A. Water vapor
• B. Chlorine gas
• C. Oxygen
• D. Hydrogen

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that acids reacting with a chlorine-releasing bleach produce chlorine gas. Household bleach is a sodium hypochlorite solution, and vinegar provides acetic acid. When acidic conditions are created, hypochlorite is converted to hypochlorous acid, which then reacts to form chlorine gas. A common overall form of the reaction is NaOCl + 2 CH3COOH → Cl2 + 2 CH3COONa + H2O. That’s why chlorine gas, not water vapor, oxygen, or hydrogen, is produced in this mixture. This gas is toxic, so mixing bleach with vinegar should be avoided.

The main idea is that acids reacting with a chlorine-releasing bleach produce chlorine gas. Household bleach is a sodium hypochlorite solution, and vinegar provides acetic acid. When acidic conditions are created, hypochlorite is converted to hypochlorous acid, which then reacts to form chlorine gas. A common overall form of the reaction is NaOCl + 2 CH3COOH → Cl2 + 2 CH3COONa + H2O. That’s why chlorine gas, not water vapor, oxygen, or hydrogen, is produced in this mixture. This gas is toxic, so mixing bleach with vinegar should be avoided.