Question

Green vitriol is chemically known as

• A. Copper sulphate
• B. Zinc sulphate
• C. Ferrous sulphate
• D. Ferric chloride

Hint:

Green vitriol is ferrous sulphate, blue vitriol is copper sulphate, and white vitriol is zinc sulphate.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
Several inorganic compounds are known by common names. These names are often based on their colour, source, or historical usage.

Step 1: Meaning of green vitriol.
Green vitriol is the common name of ferrous sulphate.

Step 2: Chemical identity.
Ferrous sulphate contains ferrous ion, \(Fe^{2+}\), and sulphate ion, \(SO_4^{2-}\). \[ \text{Ferrous sulphate} = FeSO_4 \]

Step 3: Why it is called green vitriol.
Ferrous sulphate crystals are generally greenish in colour. Hence, it is commonly called green vitriol.

Step 4: Checking other options.
Copper sulphate is called blue vitriol.
Zinc sulphate is called white vitriol.
Ferric chloride is not called green vitriol.

Step 5: Final answer.
Therefore, green vitriol is chemically known as ferrous sulphate. \[ \boxed{\text{Ferrous sulphate}} \]