While preparing crystals of Mohr's salt, dil H2SO4 is added to a mixture of ferrous sulphate and ammonium sulphate, before dissolving this mixture in water, dil H2SO4 is added here to :
- prevent the hydrolysis of ferrous sulphate
- prevent the hydrolysis of ammonium sulphate
- increase the rate of formation of crystals
- make the medium strongly acidic
Answer
(1) prevent the hydrolysis of ferrous sulphate
Solution
Fe2+ salt hydrolyses in water: FeSO4 + 2H2O Fe(OH)2 + H2SO4
∵ added dil. H2SO4 shifts this equilibrium to the left ⇒ hydrolysis of ferrous sulphate is prevented (only a few drops are used, so the medium is not made strongly acidic)
Answer: (1)