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 strip of solid iron metal is put into a beaker of 0.072M Cu(NO3)2 solution.

a. yes
b. no

A strip of solid copper metal is put into a beaker of 0.081M FeSO4 solution.
a. yes
b. no

Answer 1

Answer :

Part 1 : Yes, this reaction will take place.

Part 2 : No, this reaction will not take place.

Explanation:

Single replacement reaction : A chemical reaction in which the more reactive element replace the less reactive element.

It is represented as,

$A+BC\rightarrow AC+B$

In this reaction, A is more reactive element and B is less reactive element.

Reactivity series : It is used to determine the products of the single displacement reactions. As we know that in a single displacement reaction, the most reactive metal displaces the least reactive metal.

Part A :

This reaction will takes place because iron metal is more reactive metal than copper metal. So, iron metal can displaces copper metal from its solution.

The chemical reaction will be:

$Fe(s)+Cu(NO_3)_2(aq)\rightarrow Fe(NO_3)_2(aq)+Cu(s)$

Part B :

This reaction will not takes place because copper metal is less reactive metal than iron metal. So, copper metal can displaces iron metal from its solution.

The chemical reaction will be:

$Fe(s)+Cu(NO_3)_2(aq)\rightarrow \text{No reaction}$