Question detail
Describe the reaction that occurs when aqueous iron(III) ions are treated with sodium hydroxide.
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At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (A-level only)
Question
Describe the reaction that occurs when aqueous iron(III) ions are treated with sodium hydroxide.
Answer
A reddish-brown precipitate of iron(III) hydroxide is formed. This answer is anchored to Aqueous ion tests (A-level only).
Explanation
A reddish-brown precipitate of iron(III) hydroxide is formed. is the best answer because it directly supports the AQA A-Level Chemistry objective to describe reactions of aqueous metal ions with sodium hydroxide. This reasoning is anchored to Aqueous ion tests (A-level only) in Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (A-level only), and it separates reactions from similar A-Level ideas rather than relying on a vague recall statement. Other options are weaker if they use the wrong evidence, calculation, mechanism, observation, unit, or conclusion for this subtopic.
Common mistake
Misidentifying Precipitate Colors
Students often incorrectly describe the color of the precipitate formed when aqueous metal ions react with sodium hydroxide, confusing different metal ions.
To accurately describe the color of the precipitate, remember the specific reactions: for example, when copper(II) ions react with sodium hydroxide, the formula is Cu²⁺ + 2OH⁻ → Cu(OH)₂ (s), which forms a blue precipitate. Always refer to the specific metal ion and its corresponding hydroxide color.
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