E is an element amongst copper, zinc, aluminium and iron. It shows the following properties: Answer: (a) One of its ores is rich in E2O3. (b) E2O3 is not attacked by water. (c) It forms two chlorides ECl2 and ECl3. Name the element and justify your answer.
The clue for the correct answer is the formation of ECl2 and ECl3. This shows that the element E has variable valencies of 2 and 3 out of the elements listed, only iron exists in divalent and trivalent forms. (a) The ore rich in Fe2O3 is haematite. (b) Haematite (Fe2O3) is not attacked by water. (c) The two chlorides are: Iron (II) chloride or FeCl2 and iron (III) chloride or FeCl3.
