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The Solid State

Question
CBSEENCH12005388

Why FeO is non-stoichiometric with the formula Fe0.95 O explain?

Solution
The non-stoichiometry reflect the ease of oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ effectively replacing a small portion of Fe2+ with two thirds their number of Fe3+. Thus for every three 'missing' Fe2+ ions, the crystal contains two Fe3+ ions to balance the charge .   i.e. 3Fe2+ = 2Fe3+ to maintain electrical neutrality