UPSC » UPSC CSE Study Materials » Chemistry » Understanding Physical Properties Of Potassium Dichromate

Understanding Physical Properties Of Potassium Dichromate

Potassium dichromate is a popular chemical used in many industries for various purposes. The potassium dichromate is a weaker oxidising agent when compared to other agents(KMnO4). The potassium dichromate has long-lasting stability in acids. It acts as stable for organic matters. It also acts as a stable for chloride ions. Potassium dichromate is primarily used in acid solutions. The molecular weight of potassium dichromate is 284.185 g/mol used in laboratories. For analysing iron, potassium dichromate is used. The K₂Cr₂O₇ is also used as a standardised solution when acting against iron. The colour of potassium dichromate inorganic agent is red, rich in chromium, and will fume upon heating.

Colour

The colour of the potassium dichromate is orange or red. The potassium is orange, and the chromate is yellow. The equilibrium present in the atoms will shift to the positive side, and the solution becomes more acidic when the K₂Cr₂O₇ is dissolved in the water. The colour of potassium dichromate changes with the solution dissolved and the agents used to dissolve. The concentration of the water increases with OH ions and H ions. The equilibrium kept changing, and the colour of the potassium dichromate changed to yellow. The analytical agent present in the potassium dichromate is known when a solution is prepared. The K₂Cr₂O₇ has primarily affected your respiratory tract and caused severe infections in your body. The potassium dichromate is easily solvable in water. The K₂Cr₂O₇ is a strong oxidising agent with high corrosive content. Potassium dichromate is used in wood preservatives. It is also used in the photochemical process and the manufacture of pigments. The standard replacement of potassium dichromate is sodium dichromate. The major health issue caused by potassium dichromate is ulcerations, bronchitis, pneumonia, and shortness of breath. The IUPAC name of potassium dichromate is dipotassium;oxide-(oxide(dioxo)chromium)oxy-dioxochromium Computed by Lexichem TK 2.7.0 (PubChem release 2021.05.07). The other name for potassium dichromate is potassium bichromate, bichromate of potash, potassium dichromate, dichromic acid, dipotassium salt, chromic acid, dipotassium salt.

Equivalent Weight

In an acidic medium, potassium dichromate is a strong oxidiser. During the redox reaction, the potassium dichromate gains electrons from the solutions. In 1777, the first equivalent weights were introduced. The mass that combines or displaces with the element defines the equivalent weight of that element. The equivalent weight of the K₂Cr₂O₇ changes with the solutions we use. The experiment determined equivalent weight of K₂Cr₂O₇ is determined and derived from the substance’s molar mass. The equivalent weight of potassium dichromate is calculated by the quantity of the substance it reacts with and the combining value. The displaced molar mass will define the equivalent weight of the K₂Cr₂O₇. The molar mass is nothing but the mass of one mole of the substance.

Molecular Weight

The molecular weight of the K₂Cr₂O₇ is 294.185 g/mol. The molecular weight of the K₂Cr₂O₇ is affected by the molar mass. The molecular weight of the substance is calculated by adding up the atomic weights of the substance. Molecular mass is the other name for molecular weight. Based on 12 as the atomic weight, the molecular mass of the substance is calculated. The molecular mass of the substance is calculated using daltons. Different molecules have different isotopes. The IUPAC introduced the unified atomic mass called daltons which is unitless. When the substance is dealing with microscopic imaging, molecular weight is more appropriate. The atomic unit of the substance is used for ascertaining the molecular weight. The standard atomic weights of the elements are responsible for the molecular mass. Mass spectrometry, mass photometry, static light scattering, and hydrodynamic methods are some methods for finding molecular weights. The spectrometry method is used for small elements; the photometry method is used for medium-sized elements. The molecular weight of the substance is highly variable. The potassium dichromate occurrence can get identified in various chemical reactions. The molecular mass will get included in these reactions. The K₂Cr₂O₇ structure tells the presence of the oxygen and chromium atoms and their strength in the element. The potassium dichromate is also used to improve the density of the element. It is highly used in photographic printing techniques.

Conclusion

The K₂Cr₂O₇ structure is quite easy. The potassium dichromate structure contains two ionic bonds. The ionic bonds of potassium dichromate are present between the potassium cations and dichromate ions. The ionic bonds hold the charge of negative 2. The last oxygen atom in the K₂Cr₂O₇ structure is single-bonded with a chromium atom. Potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) has various applications and uses in industries. Potassium chrome alum and leather tanning are the primary uses of potassium dichromate. In this manufacturing process, hexavalent chromium is used. Due to various health issues, it is discontinued.
faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

What is K₂Cr₂O₇?

Answer. The K₂Cr₂O₇ is the chemical name of potassium dichromate. The chemical name is used in industri...Read full

In which reaction does K₂Cr₂O₇ gain electrons?

Answer.During the redox reaction, K₂Cr₂O₇ gains electrons. Redox reaction is an important reaction in the manu...Read full

What is the molecular weight of K₂Cr₂O₇?

Answer. The molecular weight of the K₂Cr₂O₇ is 294.185 g/mol. Molecular weight is calculated using the molar m...Read full

What is the bond between Cr-O?

Answer. The bond between Cr-O is a double bond and a single bond. The bond between them defines the strength of the ...Read full

What is the charge of the K atom?

Answer. The K atom is positively charged. The positively charged K atom is present on both sides of the atom. Neutra...Read full