Observe the following equilibrium $\mathrm{Fe}^{3+}(\mathrm{aq})+\mathrm{SCN}^{-}(\mathrm{aq})…

Observe the following equilibrium $\mathrm{Fe}^{3+}(\mathrm{aq})+\mathrm{SCN}^{-}(\mathrm{aq}) \rightleftharpoons[\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{SCN})]^{2+}(\mathrm{aq})$ yellow colourless deep red Addition of aqueous oxalic acid solution to the above equilibrium
  1. Shifts the equilibrium towards the formation of $[\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{SCN})]^{2+}$
  2. Deep red color increases
  3. Intensity of deep red color decreases
  4. No change in equilibrium

Solution

Addition of oxalic acid $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{O}_4$ causes the oxalate ions $\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{O}_4^{2-}$ to react with $\mathrm{Fe}^{3+}$ ions and form a complex that decreases the concentration of $\mathrm{Fe}^{3+}$ ions. Thus, the equilibrium would shift towards the direction where the concentration of $\mathrm{Fe}^{3+}$ ions would increase which is towards left and this decreases the intensity of deep red colour.

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2023 (18 May Shift 2)

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