A orange-brown precipitate forms when sodium hydroxide is added. Which ion is present?

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Multiple Choice

A orange-brown precipitate forms when sodium hydroxide is added. Which ion is present?

Explanation:
When you add sodium hydroxide, hydroxide ions react with metal ions to form metal hydroxides. If the hydroxide is insoluble, it appears as a precipitate, and its color helps identify the ion. Iron(III) hydroxide, Fe(OH)3, is a brownish-orange solid, so an orange-brown precipitate points to Fe3+. Aluminium would give white Al(OH)3 (and in excess base dissolves to a colorless solution), copper(II) gives a blue precipitate of Cu(OH)2, and calcium gives a white Ca(OH)2 precipitate. Therefore, the ion present is Fe3+.

When you add sodium hydroxide, hydroxide ions react with metal ions to form metal hydroxides. If the hydroxide is insoluble, it appears as a precipitate, and its color helps identify the ion. Iron(III) hydroxide, Fe(OH)3, is a brownish-orange solid, so an orange-brown precipitate points to Fe3+. Aluminium would give white Al(OH)3 (and in excess base dissolves to a colorless solution), copper(II) gives a blue precipitate of Cu(OH)2, and calcium gives a white Ca(OH)2 precipitate. Therefore, the ion present is Fe3+.

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