What is the Difference Between Ferrous and Ferric?

The main difference between ferrous and ferric ions lies in their oxidation states. Both ions are chemical compounds of iron and oxygen, but they have different atomic structures and properties:

• Ferrous oxide (FeO): Also known as iron(II) oxide, ferrous oxide contains iron in its +2 oxidation state. It is a black powder and is sometimes found in nature as the mineral hematite. Ferrous oxide is used in various applications, such as the production of plastics, heat-resistant materials, and ferrites used in electronics like speakers, TVs, and computer memory cores.
• Ferric oxide (Fe2O3): Also known as iron(III) oxide, ferric oxide contains iron in its +3 oxidation state. It is a reddish-brown powder and is commonly found in nature as the mineral hematite. Ferric oxide is primarily used in the iron and steel industries, as it is the primary source of iron for the steel industry.

In summary, the key difference between ferrous and ferric ions is their oxidation state: ferrous ions have a +2 oxidation state, while ferric ions have a +3 oxidation state. This difference in oxidation state results in distinct physical properties, such as color and electric conductivity, for each ion.

Comparative Table: Ferrous vs Ferric

The main difference between ferrous and ferric lies in the oxidation states of iron. Here is a table comparing the two:

Ferrous ions are formed through the loss of 4s electrons from the iron element, while ferric ions are formed through the loss of both 4s and 3d electrons. Ferrous compounds are more acidic than ferric compounds.