Question

Why iron (III) chloride is stored in airtight bottles?
A) Gas escapes easily
B) Absorbs water from moisture
C) Dark brown solution is formed
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Ferric chloride has a chemical formula \[FeC{l_3}\]. In ferric chloride, iron is present in +3 oxidation state. It is orange to brown-black coloured solid, slightly soluble in water. It is harmful because of its corrosive and acidic nature. It is used in the treatment of sewage water, industrial waste, etc. It is also used in an organic reaction as a catalyst.


Complete solution:
Ferric (III) chloride is a brown-black coloured solid which is harmful. It is hygroscopic, that is it shows the ability to easily react with atmospheric moisture and form a saturated brown coloured solution. Because of the hygroscopic nature of the ferric (III) chloride is stored in closed bottles or containers.
Here, we can see that option (A) that gas escapes easily is not the correct answer for the question. Hence, option (A) is incorrect.
Here, option(B) given is it absorbs water from moisture is the correct answer for the question. Hence, option (B) is the correct answer for the given question.
Now, option (C) is a dark brown solution and is also correct because after reacting with water in moisture it forms the saturated dark-brown coloured solution. Hence, the option (C) is also a correct answer for the given question.

Here, the option (D) given is incorrect because two option (B) and (C) are correct for the given question.


Note: Some compounds, chemicals hazardous in nature also some are hygroscopic hence, it is important to store them in closed containers or bottles. Some chemicals are affected by the sunlight and hence, impurity is generated into them also leads to change in the chemical properties of the original compound hence there is a need to store such a chemical carefully.