A solution of ferric chloride in water is acidic to litmus due to:
A
hydrolysis
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B
decomposition
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C
electrolysis
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D
condensation
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Solution
The correct option is A hydrolysis When ferric chloride is dissolved in water the solution becomes acidic as a result of hydrolysis. The chemical reaction, in words and formulae are: Basically, ferric chloride in water solution ionizes to iron (ferric) and chloride ions, whilst the water ionizes to hydrogen and hydroxide ions;
FeCl3→Fe3++3Cl−
H2O→H++OH−
The ferric ions will partially combine with the hydrogen and hydroxide ions to form the ferric hydroxide, a compound that is only slightly soluble and precipitates from solution as a brown solid.
Fe3++3OH−→Fe(OH)3
This precipitation can be regarded as removing hydroxyl ions from the solution, leaving a relative excess of hydrogen ions and it is this excess of hydrogen ions that makes the solution acidic.