Question

Philosopher wool is
A. ${\text{ZnO}}$
B. ${\text{ZnS}}$
C.${\text{Zn}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$
D. ${\text{ZnS}}{{\text{O}}_4}$

Answer 1

< Hint By the burning of zinc in presence of air, oxide of zinc forms. The burning gives tufts having wool-like appearance so it is known as philosopher wool. Zinc can show $ + 2$ and $ + 4$oxidation state. So, the oxides can be mono or di. Only the monoxide is known as philosopher wool. Philosopher wools is a white powder which is insoluble in water.

Complete step by step answer:
When zinc is burned in the presence of air, woolly tufts form which is known as ‘Lana philosophica’ in Latin. Lana philosophica’ meaning is philosopher wool. The woolly tufts are of zinc oxide. The name philosopher wool is very famous and zinc oxide is commonly known as philosopher wool.
Zinc sulphide is known as a zinc blend.
${\text{Zn}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ is known as a zinc peroxide.
${\text{ZnS}}{{\text{O}}_4}$is known as a zinc sulphate.
We can make the Philosopher wool by burning the zinc in presence of oxygen or by reacting the zinc with steam. The preparation of Philosopher wool by burning the zinc is as follows:
${\text{Zn}}\,\,{\text{ + }}\,{\text{1/2}}\,{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}\, \to \,{\text{ZnO}}$
The preparation of Philosopher wool by reacting the zinc with steam is as follows:
${\text{Zn}}\,\,{\text{ + }}\,{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}\,{\text{(steam)}}\, \to \,{\text{ZnO}}\,{\text{ + }}\,{{\text{H}}_2}$
Zinc oxide is used in ointments for skin disease, as a white pigment in paints, in rubber and plastic industries, cosmetics, batteries, photocopy products.So, zinc oxide is known as philosopher wool due to its wool like texture.
Therefore, option (A) is correct.

Note:Zinc monoxide is a white powder of woolly texture. Zinc dioxide is not known as philosopher wool. The zinc dioxide is a yellow powder. It is prepared by reacting zinc chloride with hydrogen peroxide. Zinc dioxide is used as disinfectants. Zinc is mainly found in the form of sulphide in nature. The main mineral source of zinc is sphalerite. Zinc sulphate is also known as white vitriol. It is a white crystalline solid.