Define equivalent mass of an reducing agent.
How would you determine the equivalent mass of Ferrous sulphate?

Explanation

The equivalent mass of a reducing agent is the number of parts by mass of the reducing agent which is completely oxidised by 8 parts by mass of oxygen or one equivalent of any oxidising agent.
Ferrous sulphate is a reducing agent.
`2FeSO_(4)+H_(2)SO_(4)+[O]rarrFe_(2)(SO_(4))_(3)+H_(2)O`
16 parts by mass of oxygen oxidised 304 parts by mass of `FeSO_(4)`
`:.` 8 parts by mass of oxygen will oxidise `316/80 xx8` parts by mass of ferrous sulphate = 152
The equivalent mass of ferrous sulphate (anhydrous) = 152.
The equivalent mass of crystalline ferrous sulphate is `(FeSO_(4)*7H_(2)O)`=152+156=278
The equivalent mass of crystalline ferrous sulphate = 278.