Question:medium

An example of a double salt is

Updated On: May 10, 2026
  • bleaching powder
  • $K_4[Fe(CN)_6]$
  • hypo
  • potash alum
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The question asks for an example of a double salt. To determine the correct answer, we must first understand what double salts are and compare them with the given options.

Definition of Double Salt: Double salts are solids that consist of two different salts that crystallize together into a regular arrangement. When dissolved in water, these salts dissociate into their constituent ions. A common feature of double salts is that they lose their identity in solution, splitting into the simple positive and negative ions they are composed of, unlike complex salts, which retain the complex ion in solution.

Explanation of Options:

  • Bleaching Powder: This is not a double salt. It is a mixture of calcium chloride (\text{CaCl}_2) and calcium hypochlorite (\text{Ca(OCl)}_2), used mainly for disinfection.
  • K_4[Fe(CN)_6]: Known as potassium ferrocyanide, this is a complex salt, not a double salt. In solution, it maintains its complex ion [\text{Fe(CN)}_6]^{4-}.
  • Hypo: Hypo refers to sodium thiosulfate, (\text{Na}_2\text{S}_2\text{O}_3 \cdot 5\text{H}_2\text{O}). It is not a double salt but a simple salt.
  • Potash Alum: This is a classic double salt with the formula KAl(SO_4)_2 \cdot 12\text{H}_2\text{O}. When dissolved in water, it dissociates into its constituent ions: potassium (K^+), aluminum (Al^{3+}), and sulfate (SO_4^{2-}).

Conclusion: The correct answer is "potash alum" because it meets the criteria for a double salt, dissociating entirely into its constituent ions in solution.

Was this answer helpful?
0