Question

Distinguish between the following pairs of compounds using the test given within brackets:
Iron (II) sulphate and iron (III) sulphate (using ammonium hydroxide)

Answer 1

Iron (II) sulphate gives dirty green precipitates with ammonium hydroxide solution. This precipitates obtained are insoluble in excess. Iron (III) sulphate gives reddish brown precipitates with ammonium hydroxide solution. This precipitates obtained are insoluble in excess. This test is used for the identification of cations .