What is the complete chemical equation?
Al(s) + Cu(CH3COO)2(aq) -> ?
Cu(s) + Al(CH3COO)3(aq)
It isn't balanced.
To find the complete chemical equation for the reaction between aluminium (Al) and copper(II) acetate (Cu(CH3COO)2), we need to understand the properties and valencies of the elements involved.
First, let's break down the given compounds:
- Aluminium (Al) is a metal with an atomic number of 13 and a valency of +3. This means that it tends to lose three electrons when it reacts chemically.
- Copper(II) acetate, represented by the formula Cu(CH3COO)2, consists of a copper ion with a charge of +2 and acetate ions (CH3COO-) with a charge of -1.
Based on these valencies, we need two acetate ions to balance the overall charge of the copper ion.
Now, let's construct the balanced chemical equation:
Al(s) + Cu(CH3COO)2(aq) -> Al(CH3COO)3(aq) + Cu(s)
This equation represents the reaction between aluminium and copper(II) acetate. It shows that one aluminium atom reacts with one molecule of copper(II) acetate to produce one molecule of aluminium acetate (Al(CH3COO)3) and one copper atom.
Note that (s) represents a solid state, (aq) represents an aqueous solution (dissolved in water), and the arrow "->" indicates the direction of the reaction.
Hence, the complete chemical equation for the given reaction is:
Al(s) + Cu(CH3COO)2(aq) -> Al(CH3COO)3(aq) + Cu(s)