Question

Decide whether a chemical reaction happens in either of the following situations. If a reaction does happen, write the chemical equation for it. Be sure your chemical equation is balanced and has physical state symbols.

a. A strip of solid nickel metal is put into a beaker of 0.052M FeSO₄ solution.

Answer 1

Situation 1: A strip of solid iron metal is put into a beaker of 0.072M Cu(NO3)2 solution. Reaction: Yes.

Situation 2: A strip of solid copper metal is put into a beaker of 0.081M FeSO4 solution. Reaction: No.

The situation 1: A strip of solid iron metal is put into a beaker of 0.072M Cu(NO3)2 solution.

Reaction: Yes

Chemical equation:

Fe(s) + Cu(NO3)2(aq) → Fe(NO3)2(aq) + Cu(s)

Physical state symbols:

Fe(s): solid iron

Cu(NO3)2(aq): aqueous copper nitrate

Fe(NO3)2(aq): aqueous iron nitrate

Cu(s): solid copper

Explanation: Iron is more reactive than copper, so it will displace the copper from the copper nitrate solution.

This is a single displacement reaction.

Situation 2: A strip of solid copper metal is put into a beaker of 0.081M FeSO4 solution.

Reaction: No

Explanation: Copper is less reactive than iron, so it will not be able to displace the iron from the iron sulfate solution.

A chemical reaction will happen in the first situation, when iron metal is put into a copper nitrate solution.

A chemical reaction will not happen in the second situation, when copper metal is put into an iron sulfate solution.