Question

Which of the following is called philosopher’s wool?
1. Zinc bromide
2. Zinc nitrate
3. Zinc oxide
4. Zinc chloride

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Zinc oxide

The correct answer is Zinc oxide.

• The compound zinc oxide (ZnO) is called philosopher's wool.
• ZnO residual has a wool like texture.
• It is said that Alchemists, as part of their rituals, would burn zinc in air and collect the residue, which formed into white woolly tufts.
• Zinc bromide
  • It is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula ZnBr₂.
  • It is used to prepare dense, clear (solids-free) brine for well completion and workover operations.
• Zinc nitrate
  • It is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula Zn(NO₃)₂.
  • It is soluble in both water and alcohol.
  • It is used as a catalyst and a mordant for dyes, and in liquid fertilizer.
• Zinc Oxide
  • It is an inorganic compound with the formula ZnO.
  • Zinc oxide topical (for the skin) is used to treat diaper rash, minor burns, severely chapped skin, or other minor skin irritations.
• Zinc chloride
  • It is the name of chemical compounds with the formula ZnCl₂.
  • It is used as a soldering flux / cleaning agent. Such fluxes are capable of dissolving the oxide layer on the metal surface.