Question

What happens when iron (II) sulphate is heated?

Write balanced chemical equation of the reaction involved in support of your answer.

Answer 1

\[\ce{2FeSO4(s) \overset{\triangle}{->} Fe2O3(s) + SO2(g) + SO3(g)}\]

Crystals of ferrous sulphate FeSO₄ . 7H₂O initially lose their water of crystallization and turn white. Upon further heating, the anhydrous iron (II) sulphate decomposes into ferric oxide, sulphur dioxide, and sulphur trioxide. You will notice a change from green to a reddish-brown solid, along with a characteristic smell of burning sulphur.