Moderate

Alum is used by dyers of cloth:

Correct answer: B. As mordant

  • A. As water purifier
  • B. As mordant
  • C. fire proofing fabrics
  • D. Softening of hard water

Explanation

Alum acts as a mordant because it forms an insoluble complex with the dye and fibre, helping the colour adhere permanently to cloth. The likely mistake is choosing water purification, since alum is also used there to coagulate suspended impurities, but that is not its role in dyeing.

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About Dyes

Dyes are coloured organic compounds that form a stable bond or strong attraction with fibres, while pigments are generally insoluble and need a binding medium. The topic covers chromophores, auxochromes and conjugated systems, as well as acid, basic, direct, reactive, azo and mordant dyes.

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