What happens when Ferrous Sulphate is heated

Today, you are going to learn What happens when Ferrous Sulphate is heated. The reaction is related to Chemical reactions and equations.

Ferrous sulphate is a compound with the chemical formula FeSO₄. The crystals of ferrous sulphate are green but after heating turns white. When ferrous sulphate is heated, it undergoes a series of chemical and physical changes depending on the temperature and conditions.

 

At temperatures below 90°C, ferrous sulphate losses its crystalline water, which means it will release the water molecules that are bonded to the FeSO₄ molecule. This process is known as dehydration, and the resulting compound is called anhydrous ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄).

 

The chemical reaction of dehydration of ferrous sulphate

`FeSO_4.5H_2O\overset{\Delta }{\rightarrow}FeSO_4 + 5H_2O`

(hydrated)                                (anhydrous)

Further heating of ferrous sulphate gives iron oxide (FeO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and sulphur trioxide (SO₃).

So, the heating of ferrous sulphate crystals is an endothermic reaction because it receives heat and decomposition takes place.Ferrous sulphate crystals turn light green to white after decompostion.

`FeSO_4\overset{\Delta }{\rightarrow}Fe_2O_3 + SO_2 + SO_3`

The heating of ferrous sulphate is a thermal decomposition reaction.

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FAQs

1.  Is heating of ferrous sulphate crystals an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

Ans- The heating of ferrous sulphate is an endothermic reaction because heat is required in this reaction.

2.  What is the colour of ferrous sulphate?

Ans – Ferrous sulphate crystals are green in colour when they have crystalline water.

3.  What is the colour of anhydrous ferrous sulphate?

Ans. When crystalline water is removed on heating, the anhydrous ferrous sulphate remains as a  residue which is white in colour.

4.  What is the ferrous sulphate formula?

Ans- FeSO₄

5.  Which gases evolve when green-coloured ferrous sulphate crystals are heated?

Ans- Sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide gases evolve when green-coloured ferrous sulphate crystals are heated.