Part 1 of 2
Write the balanced molecular equation for the reaction between iron metal (the nail) and aqueous copper II sulfate and classify this reaction. Include the states: solid (s), liquid (l), aqueous (aq), or gas (g). Use your observations to help you determine the products of this reaction.
Below is an example of the form of the answer:
Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + 2 KCl (aq) PbCl2 (s) + 2 KNO3 (aq).
Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) ==> FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
The only problem I see with the question is the example. The question concerns a single replacement reaction and the example is a double replacement reaction. The two are not the same. I know, the form is to show how the states are to be written, but teachers need to pay attention to detail when they write problems.
To write the balanced molecular equation for the reaction between iron metal and aqueous copper II sulfate, we first need to understand the reaction and its products.
The reaction between iron metal and aqueous copper II sulfate is a single replacement reaction. In this type of reaction, one element replaces another element in a compound. In this case, iron metal will replace copper in the copper II sulfate compound.
The chemical formula for iron metal is Fe, and the chemical formula for copper II sulfate is CuSO4. The aqueous state is denoted by (aq), and the solid state is denoted by (s).
Observations:
When iron metal reacts with copper II sulfate solution, you will observe a color change. The blue color of the copper II sulfate solution will fade, and a reddish/brown solid will form.
Based on these observations, we can predict the products of the reaction. The iron metal will replace the copper in the compound, resulting in the formation of iron II sulfate and copper metal.
Now let's write the balanced molecular equation:
Iron (s) + Copper II Sulfate (aq) -> Iron II Sulfate (aq) + Copper (s)
Fe (s) + CuSO4 (aq) -> FeSO4 (aq) + Cu (s)
Note: The state (aq) is used for substances dissolved in water, and (s) is used for solids.
This equation represents the balanced molecular equation for the reaction, where the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides.
We have classified this reaction as a single replacement reaction, where iron metal replaces copper in the copper II sulfate compound.