SSC CGL 2023 PYQ — Question 48

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Iron.

Iron (Fe) is a versatile metal known for its variable valency, primarily in two oxidation states:

• +2 (Ferrous, Fe²⁺): Common in compounds like iron(II) sulfate (FeSO₄) and iron(II) chloride (FeCl₂), this state is prevalent in biological systems and various industrial applications.
• +3 (Ferric, Fe³⁺): Found in compounds such as iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃) and iron(III) chloride (FeCl₃), this oxidation state is more stable in aqueous solutions and involved in numerous oxidation-reduction reactions.

Iron’s ability to exhibit these variable valencies is due to the presence of multiple unpaired electrons in its d-orbital, which allows it to participate in various chemical reactions and form a range of compounds.