Question

Assertion (A): When ferrous sulphate is heated, it decomposes to form anhydrous ferric oxide, sulphur dioxide, and sulphur trioxide.

Reason (R): Heating the salt provides energy which breaks ferrous sulphate into simpler compounds.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, and R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

Answer 1

The assertion about the decomposition of ferrous sulphate is inaccurate because the actual products formed are ferric oxide, sulphur dioxide, and possibly sulphur trioxide under certain conditions, not anhydrous ferric oxide. The correct option is C.

Step-by-step explanation:

When ferrous sulphate is heated, it decomposes to form ferric oxide (Fe2O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and sulphur trioxide (SO3). This decomposition can be considered a decomposition reaction, which is a type of chemical reaction where a single compound breaks down into two or more elements or simpler compounds. Heating ferrous sulphate provides the energy necessary for its decomposition into simpler compounds.

However, your assertion (A) is not completely accurate, as the correct product of the decomposition of ferrous sulfate when heated is actually ferric oxide (Fe2O3), not anhydrous ferric oxide. Moreover, sulphur trioxide (SO3) is not commonly produced directly through the heating of ferrous sulphate; it generally forms when sulphur dioxide reacts with oxygen in a separate process. The reason (R) is a basic explanation of how heating provides energy for decomposition reactions in general.

Therefore, the correct answer to the original question is option C: A is false, but R is true, because although heating ferrous sulphate provides energy for decomposition, the assertion misidentifies the actual products of the reaction.