Feso4 Structure,Characteristics:9 Facts You Should Know

In this article we will discuss about Feso4 structure, characteristics and nine must to know facts about Ferrous sulphate which is an iron salt.

FeSO₄ (hydrous) contains Fe²⁺, SO₄^2-and most commonly seven molecules of water in its crystal structure. Ferrous Sulfate (FeSO₄) is more popularly known as green vitriol that is green sulfate (vitriol which is an older name for sulfate).

What is the FeSO₄ structure?

The structure of Feso4 (hydrous) consists of Fe²⁺, SO₄^2- and most commonly seven molecules of water in its crystal. FeSO₄ is bluish green in color.

On heating, the crystals of FeSO₄ losses water of crystallization and their color changes from bluish green to white color.

Is FeSO₄ soluble in water?

Yes, Ferrous Sulfate (FeSO₄) is soluble in water. Ferrous Sulfate forms a aquo complex, [Fe(H₂O)₆]²⁺ when dissolved in water.

Why is FeSO₄ soluble in water?

FeSO₄ is an ionic compound. Like dissolves like so ionic compounds can dissolve in polar solvents. Water is a polar solvent so FeSO₄ can dissolve in water.

The aquo complex [Fe(H₂O)₆]²⁺ has a octahedral molecular geometry.

Is Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄) an acid or base?

Ferrous sulfate (Feso4) is formed by the reaction between sulfuric acid (a strong acid) and ferric hydroxide (a weak base) so Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄) is an acidic salt.

Why FeSO₄ is an acid?

When FeSO₄ is dissolved in water, the solution formed will have more H⁺(aq) ions than OH^–. Thus Ferrous Sulfate is an acid.

Properties of FeSO₄

Is Ferrous Sulfate (FeSO₄) a strong acid? If not why?

No, FeSO₄ is a weak acid. Fe²⁺ is less polarizing and reacts partially with water to release H⁺ ion so Ferrous Sulfate (FeSO₄)  is a weak acid.

Is FeSO₄ ionic or covalent?

FeSO₄ is an ionic compound because it is formed by the electrostatic force of attraction between the Fe²⁺ and SO₄^2- ions.

Why is FeSO₄ an ionic compound?

An ionic compound is formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one element to another in order to achieve a noble gas configuration. It is formed when the difference between the electronegativities of atoms is large.

In FeSO₄, there exists an electrostatic force of attraction between the Fe²⁺ ion (positively charged) and SO₄^2- (negatively charged). So FeSO₄ is an ionic compound.

Is FeSO₄ a solid?

Yes, FeSO₄ is either a light green (when hydrous) or white (when anhydrous) crystalline solid because in FeSO₄, the force of attraction between the particles is stronger than the thermal energy of particles so FeSO₄ exists as solid.

Why do FeSO₄ exists as solid?

Substances in which the particles are very close to each other, the forces of attraction between the particles of substance are stronger even than the thermal energy of the particles such substances exist as solids so FeSO₄ exists as solid

Is FeSO₄ a precipitate?Why and why not?

Ans: A precipitate is an ionic solid that is insoluble in water. FeSO₄ is soluble in water so FeSO₄ is not a precipitate.

Is FeSO₄ aqueous or solid?

FeSO₄ is a light green (when hydrous) or white (anhydrous) crystalline solid. It is soluble in water.When dissolved in water, it forms aqueous solution.

Why is FeSO₄ a solid and why it forms aqueous solution?

Substances in which the particles are very close to each other, the force of attraction between the particles of substance are stronger even than the thermal energy of the particles such substances exist as solid By this definition FeSO₄ is a solid.

Aqueous mean dissolved in water. FeSO₄ is soluble in water. When FeSO₄ is dissolved in water, it forms aqueous solution.

Is FeSO₄ a strong electrolyte?Why?

Yes, FeSO₄ is a strong electrolyte. A strong electrolyte is a substance which dissociates completely into ions in water. As FeSO₄ dissociates completely in water, so it is a strong electrolyte.

These ions conduct electricity in solution.

Frequently asked questions:

1) What does Ferrous mean?

Ans: The meaning of ferrous is “containing iron”. This term is derived from Latin word ferrum which mean iron.

2) How do Fe3+ and Fe2+ differ from each other?

Ans: Fe3+ has diamagnetic properties while fe2+ has paramagnetic properties.

3) What is the important metabolic processes in which iron (Fe) plays an important part?

Ans: Iron plays an important role in various metabolic processes like oxygen transport to cells of our body, DNA synthesis and production of energy in electron transport.

4) Which is dietary iron? Is it ferrous or ferric?

Ans: Dietary iron exists in three main forms – Ferrous iron, Ferric iron and Heme iron

5) Which is the readily absorbed form of iron?

Ans: The readily absorbed form of iron is the heme iron.

6) What is the shape of the crystal of Ferrous Sulfate?

Ans: The Ferrous Sulfate crystal has octahedral molecular geometry. Ferrous sulfate crystals are paramagnetic in nature.

7) Which is correct Ferrous Sulphate or Ferrous Sulfate?

Ans: Sulphate and sulfate both refer to the SO₄^2- salt of iron. The sulphate spelling with ‘ph’ is used in British English while sulfate spelling is recommended by IUPAC.

8) Why is the color of FeSO₄ (Ferrous Sulfate) change on heating?

Ans: The colour of ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄) change when heated due to the evaporation of water of crystallization and we get anhydrous Ferrous Sulfate.

On heating the colour of crystals change from light green to white in colour.

9) How is FeSO₄ structure looks like?

Ans: The structure of FeSO₄ consists of Fe²⁺ and SO₄^2-ion.

  The structure of FeSO₄ is as follows :

Conclusion

Feso4 is an acidic salt which is formed by the reaction between a sulfuric acid (strong acid) and Ferrous Hydroxide (a weak base). FeSO₄ is a weak acid. Heme is the readily absorbed form of iron.

More Lewis Structures:

• H2SO4 Lewis Structure
• HNO2 Lewis Structure

Sonali Jham

Hi…I am Sonali Jham. I have done my Post-Graduation in Chemistry and also completed B. Ed. I am a Teacher and a Dietician by profession.
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