Aluminium sulphate when dissolved in water forms aluminium hydroxide and sulphuric acid.Since, aluminium hydroxide is insoluble in water, a clear solution is not obtained.
Al2(SO4)3 + 6H2O →2Al(OH)3 + 3H2SO4Aluminium Aluminiumsulphate Hydroxide
In anhydrous condition aluminium sulphate is a white powder. Hydrated, it forms colourless, acicular, sour-tasting crystals. Aluminium sulphate dissociates in water to form a colloidal solution of aluminium hydroxide molecules and positively charged aluminium hydroxide ions (Al (OH)2+, Al (OH)2+):
Al2(SO4)3 + 6 H2O <--> 2 Al(OH)3 + 3 SO42- + 6 H+
Through this process, such aqueous solutions are reacting strongly acidic. The hydroxide formation comes – after the achievement of equilibrium – to a halt, so that the solution also contains some free Al3+ ions. The cationic activity of aluminium sulphate solutions is dissolved by the positively charged aluminium hydroxide ions, which are aggregated with the aluminium hydroxide molecules.
Note from Bob Pursley's response, that Al2(SO4)3 IS soluble in water and it does NOT form a ppt; therefore, the solution of same is colorless.
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sorry 2005
The chemical reaction you mentioned is the dissolution of aluminium sulphate in water, forming aluminium hydroxide and sulphuric acid. Let's break down the reaction and explain each component:
Al2(SO4)3 + 6H2O -> 2Al(OH)3 + 3H2SO4
Al2(SO4)3 is the chemical formula for aluminium sulphate. This compound consists of two aluminium ions (Al3+) and three sulphate ions (SO4^2-).
When aluminium sulphate is dissolved in water (H2O), the compound dissociates into its respective ions:
Al2(SO4)3 -> 2Al3+ + 3SO4^2-
Next, the aluminium ions (Al3+) react with water, resulting in the formation of aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)3):
2Al3+ + 6H2O -> 2Al(OH)3
Aluminium hydroxide is an insoluble compound. This means that it does not dissolve completely in water, and thus, a clear solution is not obtained. Instead, aluminium hydroxide forms a precipitate, which is a solid that settles at the bottom of the container.
Finally, the sulphate ions (SO4^2-) react with water, producing sulphuric acid (H2SO4):
3SO4^2- + 6H2O -> 3H2SO4
Sulphuric acid is a strong acid that remains in solution. It contributes to the overall acidity of the mixture.
In summary, when aluminium sulphate is dissolved in water, it forms aluminium hydroxide (which is insoluble and appears as a precipitate) and sulphuric acid (which stays in solution as an acid).