Which chemical is commonly known as bleach and used for disinfection?

Sodium hypochlorite is the chemical commonly known as bleach and is widely used as a disinfectant. It is a powerful oxidizing agent, making it effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Sodium hypochlorite works by penetrating the cell walls of microorganisms and reacting with cellular components, thus disrupting their essential functions and leading to cell death.

In various applications, including water treatment and household cleaning, sodium hypochlorite serves as an effective means for disinfection due to its strength and relatively low cost. Its solution is easily available in different concentrations, depending on its intended use, from household bleach at around 5-6% concentration to stronger formulations used in industrial settings.

Though other choices like calcium hypochlorite are also used for disinfection, they are not as commonly referenced simply as "bleach." Hydrogen peroxide does function as a disinfectant but operates through different chemical mechanisms and does not share the same common name. Ammonium chloride is primarily a quaternary ammonium compound that functions differently in cleaning and disinfecting contexts. Overall, sodium hypochlorite's widespread recognition and use as bleach fundamentally support its classification in this context.