According to the data booklet Cu(NO3)2 and Sn(s) are spontaneous Cu2+ being a strong reducing agent and Sn(s) being a strong oxidizing agent
but according this lab:
d2l.adlc.ca/content/ADLC-Depts/ScienceSH/SCN3796-5cBl-08Feb10/chemistry_30/mm/m3/m3_l3_testing_predictions/m3_l3_testing_predictions.html
According to this there was no reaction between Cu(NO3)2 and Sn(s)
Is it because there isnt much of a potential difference between the two?
Help plz!
and thank you in advance
I didn't look at the site but there is a lot of misinformation floating around out there. #1, Sn is a reducing agent, not an oxidizing agent. #2, Sn + Cu^+2 ==> Sn^+2 + Cu will occur spontaneously. You can take that to the bank.
To determine whether a reaction will occur between Cu(NO3)2 and Sn(s), the concept of redox reactions needs to be considered. Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons from one reactant (the reducing agent) to another (the oxidizing agent).
According to the data booklet, Cu(NO3)2 is considered a strong reducing agent, which means it has a tendency to donate electrons and undergo oxidation. On the other hand, Sn(s) is considered a strong oxidizing agent, meaning it has a tendency to accept electrons and undergo reduction.
Based on this information, it would be expected that a reaction would occur between Cu(NO3)2 and Sn(s) because they have a significant difference in their redox potentials. However, if the provided lab report indicates that no reaction occurred between the two, there can be several possible reasons:
1. Error in the experimental setup: It is possible that the reaction conditions were not ideal or that there was an error in the experimental setup. Small changes in experimental conditions can sometimes prevent a reaction from occurring.
2. Limitations of the experiment: The lab report you provided may have been specific to a particular reaction condition or concentration of reactants. It's essential to consider if the conditions used in the experiment align with the information provided in the data booklet.
3. Incomplete or outdated information: It is also possible that the information in the data booklet is incomplete or outdated. Scientific understanding can evolve over time, and new research can reveal exceptions to existing theories.
In summary, the lack of a reaction between Cu(NO3)2 and Sn(s) despite their supposed strong oxidizing and reducing properties could be due to experimental limitations, errors, or incomplete information. It is crucial to consider the specific experimental conditions and consult reliable and up-to-date sources of information for accurate conclusions.