Question

What happens when ferric chloride crystals are exposed to the atmosphere for some time ?

Answer 1

Answer-
When ferric chloride is exposed to atmosphere FeCl3 absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and gets converted into its solution.

Answer 2

Answer: This compound gets hydrated.

Explanation:

Ferric chloride is an ionic compound having formula $FeCl_3$. When this is kept away room the atmosphere, it is anhydrous in nature which means this compound lacks water of crystallization.

But once it comes in the contact of atmosphere having water content, it starts to get hydrated and forms hydrous ferric chloride.

When ferric chloride absorbs water from the air, it follows the equation:

$FeCL_3(s)+nH_2O\rightarrow FeCl_3.nH_2O$

Hence, ferric chloride gets hydrated when it is exposed to the atmosphere. Therefore, it must be kept in air tight bottles.