Final answer:
The name 'Clorox' derives from 'chlorine' and 'oxidation,' since chlorine is the crucial oxidizing component in sodium hypochlorite, which is the active element of this popular household bleach.
Step-by-step explanation:
The name Clorox combines 'Clor-', a short form of chlorine, with '-ox', referencing the process of oxidation. Chlorine is a potent oxidizing agent used in bleaching agents, and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) is the active ingredient in Clorox. This compound releases chlorine when needed for bleaching and disinfection, utilizing the process of oxidation to remove stains and sanitize.
Sodium hypochlorite, the key component of Clorox, is produced commercially through the electrolysis of cold, dilute, aqueous sodium chloride solutions, resulting in a reaction where chlorine and hydroxide ions combine to create the bleach. This process transforms sodium hypochlorite into a powerful and cost-effective bleaching agent and germicide, widely used as household bleach since the 18th century.