Question

The reaction between aluminum and an aqueous solution of copper(II) sulfate is represented by the unbalanced equation below.

Al(s) + CuSO4(aq) ==> Al2(SO4)3(aq) + Cu(s)
Identify the type of chemical reaction represented by the equation.
Balance the equation in your answer booklet, using the smallest whole-number coefficients.
_____ Al(s) + _____ CuSO4(aq) ==> _____ Al2(SO4)3(aq) + _____ Cu(s)
Explain why the equation represents a chemical change.
Determine the total mass of Cu produced when 1.08 grams of AI reacts completely with 9.58 grams of CuSO, to produce 6.85 grams of Al2(SO4)3.

Answer 1

The reaction between aluminum and copper(II) sulfate is a single displacement and redox reaction. The balanced equation is 2 Al(s) + 3 CuSO4(aq) ⇒ Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 3 Cu(s). To find the mass of Cu, stoichiometry and the Law of Conservation of Mass are applied.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction between aluminum (Al) and copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4) is a single displacement reaction or a redox reaction. To balance the equation, we should ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. The balanced equation is:

2 Al(s) + 3 CuSO4(aq) ⇒ Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 3 Cu(s)

This equation represents a chemical change because the reactants undergo a change in their chemical identities to form new products, resulting in different chemical compositions and properties.

To determine the mass of Cu produced, we use stoichiometry and the Law of Conservation of Mass. Initially, we should convert grams of Al and Al2(SO4)3 to moles using their molar masses. Since 1.08 grams of Al reacts to produce 6.85 grams of Al2(SO4)3, we calculate the moles of Al2(SO4)3 formed and use the balanced chemical equation to find the corresponding moles of Cu produced. Finally, we convert the moles of Cu back to grams using the molar mass of copper.

Answer 2

The reaction is a single replacement reaction, as the aluminum is REPLACING the copper attached to the sulfate. the exponents on the equation, in order, would be 2, 3, 1, 3. The reaction represents a chemical change because a new compound is being formed; if the original compound was simply changing state ( from liquid to gas, etc), then the change would be physical.
The last question requires some stoichiometry. My work is attached.