Aqueous solution of ferric chloride is

Options

A. Acidic
B. Basic
C. Neutral
D. Amphoteric

Explanation

To determine the nature of an aqueous solution of ferric chloride (FeCl3), we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Compound**: Ferric chloride is represented by the chemical formula FeCl3. It consists of ferric ions (Fe³⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻).

2. **Dissolution in Water**: When ferric chloride is dissolved in water, it dissociates into its constituent ions:
\[ \text{FeCl}_3 (s) \rightarrow \text{Fe}^{3+} (aq) + 3 \text{Cl}^- (aq) \]

3. **Behavior of Ferric Ion (Fe³⁺)**: The ferric ion (Fe³⁺) is a cation that can hydrolyze in water. This means it can react with water to form ferric hydroxide (Fe(OH)₃) and release protons (H⁺):
\[ \text{Fe}^{3+} (aq) + 3 \text{H}_2\text{O} (l) \rightleftharpoons \text{Fe(OH)}_3 (s) + 3 \text{H}^+ (aq) \]

4. **Formation of H⁺ Ions**: The reaction produces H⁺ ions, which contribute to the acidity of the solution. The presence of these protons indicates that the solution will be acidic.

5. **Conclusion**: Since the solution contains a strong acid (H⁺ ions from the hydrolysis of Fe³⁺) and a weak base (Fe(OH)₃), the overall nature of the aqueous solution of ferric chloride is acidic.

### Final Answer:
The aqueous solution of ferric chloride is **acidic**.

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