Iron(II) oxide facts for kids
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Iron(II) oxide is a special kind of chemical compound made from iron and oxygen. It's also known as ferrous oxide. In this compound, the iron atoms have a specific electrical charge, called an oxidation state of +2. This means each iron atom has lost two electrons.
This black powder can change easily. At room temperature, it tends to turn into a mix of pure iron and another compound called iron(III) oxide. However, if it's heated to very high temperatures, it becomes much more stable.
When iron(II) oxide gets wet or mixes with water molecules, it changes. It becomes a green substance called iron(II) hydroxide. This green chemical doesn't stay green for long. If it touches oxygen, it quickly changes color again. It gets oxidized and turns into a reddish color, similar to rust, which is iron(III) oxide.
Contents
What is Iron(II) Oxide?
Iron(II) oxide is a simple chemical made of iron and oxygen. It has the chemical formula FeO. This means for every one iron atom, there is one oxygen atom. It's a type of metal oxide, which is a compound where a metal is combined with oxygen.
How it Looks and Behaves
Iron(II) oxide usually appears as a fine, black powder. It's not very stable on its own, especially when it's cool. It prefers to change into other forms of iron and oxygen.
Changes with Water and Air
When iron(II) oxide comes into contact with water, it can absorb some of it. This process is called being hydrated. When it's hydrated, it forms a different compound known as iron(II) hydroxide. This new compound is green.
But the green iron(II) hydroxide doesn't last long in the air. Oxygen in the air reacts with it. This reaction is called oxidation. Oxidation causes the green substance to turn into a reddish-brown color. This reddish color is very similar to rust, which is mostly iron(III) oxide.
Related Compounds
Iron can form different compounds with oxygen. Iron(II) oxide is one example. Another common one is iron(III) oxide, which is what we commonly call rust. There's also a mix of both called iron(II,III) oxide.
Uses of Iron(II) Oxide
While not as common as rust, iron(II) oxide has some uses. It can be used as a pigment, which means it can give color to things. It's also used in some industrial processes.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Óxido de hierro(II) para niños
