1. Home
  2. Precipitation reaction of sodium hydroxide and iron(III) nitrate

Precipitation reaction of sodium hydroxide and iron(III) nitrate

Colorless sodium hydroxide solution is added to dark yellow iron(III) nitrate solution.

Approximately 2 mL of Solution A (on the left) is added to a sample of Solution B (on the right) with a dropping pipet. If a precipitate forms, the resulting precipitate is suspended in the mixture. The mixture is then stirred with a glass stirring rod and the precipitate is allowed to settle for about a minute.

Solution A: 0.5 M sodium hydroxide, colorless
Solution B: 0.2 M iron(III) nitrate, dark yellow
Precipitate: red-orange
Fe(NO3)3(aq) + 3 NaOH(aq) —> Fe(OH)3(s) + 3 NaNO3(aq)

Credits: 
  • Design
    • Kenneth R. Magnell Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
    • John W. Moore University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
  • Video
    • Jerrold J. Jacobsen University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
  • Text
    • Kenneth R. Magnell Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859