2.1.1 Formation of Iron Sulfide

1. Chemicals used: sulfur and iron filings 2. Heating the mixture
Elements used: sulfur and iron filings Heating the mixture
3. The reaction begins 4. Rising sulfur vapour
The reaction begins Rising sulfur vapor
5. The sulfur vapor ignites 6. The reaction product is not magnetic
The sulfur vapor ignites The reaction product is not magnetic
Animation of Experiment (GIF Format, 401 k)
Animation of Experiment (MPEG Format, 405 k)
Photo 1: 5 g iron filings and 5 g sulfur are mixed in a test tube.
Photo 2: The mixture is heated using a Bunsen burner.
Photo 3: The reaction takes place quickly, as soon as the sulfur has melted. Iron reacts with sulfur in a simple, exothermic reaction to produce iron sulfide:
Fe + S ® FeS
Photo 4: The heat produced vaporizes the sulfur.
Photo 5: Eventually the sulfur vapor ignites and burns with a light blue flame.
Photo 6: The residue that forms is not magnetic.

Iron sulfide reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen sulfide and iron chloride:

FeS + 2 HCl® FeCl2 + H2S
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