Question

$CaC{l_2}$ is used as;
A) disinfectant
B) desiccant agent
C) medicine
D) none of these

Answer 1

Disinfectant means destroying bacteria. Simply, any chemical that helps in destroying the bacteria is known as disinfectant. For example, chlorine bleach, isopropyl alcohol in between 60%-90% alcohol etc. are mostly used.

Complete answer:
Calcium is a metal with atomic number 20 and atomic mass 40. It belongs to group 2 and also known as alkaline earth metals. Its electronic configuration is:
$1{s^2}2{s^2}2{p^6}3{s^2}3{p^6}4{s^2}$
The chlorides and fluorides of other alkaline earth metals are ionic solids and hence are good conductors of electricity. The melting points and conductivity increases on moving down the group due to increase in the ionic character of the halides. They are hygroscopic reality form hydrates. The solubility of halides in water decreases on moving down the group due to decrease in their hydration energy with increasing size of the metal ion. While solid calcium chloride can also help to absorb moisture i.e. it can also act as a desiccant agent.

Hence, the option (B) is correct.

Note: The best example of desiccant is silica, activated charcoal, zeolites, calcium sulphate etc. While desiccant agent is that agent which is used to absorb water. It is used to dry moisture. for example-alumina, calcium oxide, silica gel etc. Medicine is a drug or a type of drug which helps to treat diseases.