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Question

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;

FeCl3Fe3++3Cl

H2OH++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++3OHFe(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.

So the answer is A.

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