Metal Hydroxides

Chemistry: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 13.2.3

Metal Hydroxides

Here are some more examples of the formation of precipitates:

Copper(II) hydroxide

Copper(II) hydroxide

  • Copper ions (Cu2+) form the blue precipitate copper(II) hydroxide.
  • Cu2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → Cu(OH)2(s).
Iron(II) hydroxide

Iron(II) hydroxide

  • Iron(II) ions (Fe2+) form the green precipitate iron(II) hydroxide.
  • Fe2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → Fe(OH)2(s).
Iron(III) hydroxide

Iron(III) hydroxide

  • Iron(III) ions (Fe3+) form the brown precipitate iron(III) hydroxide.
  • Fe3+(aq) + 3OH-(aq) → Fe(OH)3(s).
Ammonium ion

Ammonium ion

  • Ammonium (NH4+) ions form water and ammonia. Ammonia gas evolves out of the solutions.
  • NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq) → NH3(g) + H2O(l).

Test yourself on Metal Hydroxides

  • Which metal ion needs the most hydroxide ions to form a precipitate?

  • Which statement correctly compares the hydroxide ions needed by each pair of ions?

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