Ferrous

In chemistry, the adjective ferrous indicates a compound that contains iron in the +2 oxidation state, possibly as the divalent cation Fe2+. It is opposed to "ferric", which indicates presence of iron in a +3 oxidation state, such as the trivalent cation Fe3+.[1] This usage has been largely replaced by the IUPAC nomenclature, which calls for the oxidation state being indicated by Roman numerals in parentheses, such as iron(II) oxide for ferrous oxide (FeO), iron(III) oxide for ferric oxide (Fe2O3), and iron(II,III) oxide for the oxide Fe
3O
4 that contains both forms of iron.

Pourbaix diagram of aqueous iron
Ferrous oxide is more correctly called iron(II) oxide.

Outside chemistry, "ferrous" means generally "containing iron".[1] The word is derived from the Latin word ferrum ("iron").[2] Ferrous metals include steel and pig iron (with a carbon content of a few percent) and alloys of iron with other metals (such as stainless steel).[3] "Non-ferrous" is used to describe metals and alloys that do not contain an appreciable amount of iron.[4]

The term "ferrous" is usually applied only to metals and alloys. The adjective ferruginous is used instead to refer to non-metallic substances that contain iron, such as "ferruginous water"; or to an orangish-brown color resembling that of rust.[5]

See also

References
  1. "ferrous" entry in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Accessed on 2008-04-19.
  2. Etymology (Meaning of Words), 30 November 2007, archived from the original on 20 April 2008, retrieved 19 April 2008.
  3. "Ferrous Alloys Properties". All Metals & Forge Group. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  4. "non-ferrous" entry in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Accessed on 2008-04-19.
  5. "ferruginous" entry in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Accessed on 2019-03-08.
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