Back to chemical reactions and equations
🌡️

Activity 1.4 — Heating Ferrous Sulphate

NCERT Activity 1.4: Heat ferrous sulphate crystals (FeSO₄·7H₂O) in a dry boiling tube. Observe the colour change (green → white → reddish-brown) and the smell of burning sulphur.

How To Perform

1

Add FeSO₄ Crystals

Take a small amount of pale green ferrous sulphate crystals in a DRY boiling tube.

2

Heat Gently, Then Strongly

Hold with a clamp, point mouth away from your face, and heat over a burner.

3

Observe Colour Change

Watch: green → white (water lost) → reddish-brown (decomposition).

4

Note the Smell

Fan the gas towards your nose — a smell of burning sulphur confirms SO₂/SO₃.

⚠️ Safety Notes

  • •Do NOT smell the gas directly — fan it gently towards your nose.
  • •Point the mouth of the boiling tube AWAY from yourself and others.
  • •SO₂ is a choking gas — perform the activity in a well-ventilated lab.