When iron reacts with copper (2) chloride, one of two possible reactions take place: Fe(s) + CuCl2(aq) to FeCl2(aq)+Cu(s) OR 2Fe(s) + 3Cucl2(aq) to
2FeCl3(aq) + 3Cu(s)... What charge does the iron atom have carry in each of the two possible products FeCl2 vs. FeCl3.
Cl is -1, so the Fe is +2 or +3
I agree with Scott.
In the reaction Fe(s) + CuCl2(aq) to FeCl2(aq) + Cu(s), the iron atom has a +2 charge in FeCl2. This is because in FeCl2, each chlorine atom carries a -1 charge, and since there are two chlorine atoms, the total negative charge is -2. In order to balance the charges, the iron atom must carry a +2 charge.
In the reaction 2Fe(s) + 3CuCl2(aq) to 2FeCl3(aq) + 3Cu(s), the iron atom has a +3 charge in FeCl3. This is because in FeCl3, each chlorine atom carries a -1 charge, and since there are three chlorine atoms, the total negative charge is -3. In order to balance the charges, the iron atom must carry a +3 charge.
To determine the charge on the iron atom in the products FeCl2 and FeCl3, we need to consider the oxidation states of the elements involved in the reactions.
In FeCl2, iron (Fe) is present in the +2 oxidation state. This is because copper (Cu) has a +2 charge in CuCl2 and chlorine (Cl) has a -1 charge. Since the overall charge of the compound must be neutral, the oxidation state of iron is +2.
In FeCl3, iron (Fe) is present in the +3 oxidation state. This is because copper (Cu) has a +2 charge in CuCl2, and when two Fe atoms react, their combined charge should equal the total charge of CuCl2, which is +4. Therefore, each Fe atom would have an oxidation state of +3.
So, in summary:
- In FeCl2, the iron atom carries a charge of +2.
- In FeCl3, the iron atom carries a charge of +3.