aluminum metal is added to a solution of cobalt (II) sulfate
The reaction that occurs is:
Al + CoSO4 → Al2(SO4)3 + Co
When aluminum metal is added to a solution of cobalt (II) sulfate, a chemical reaction will occur. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what happens:
Step 1: Write the balanced equation for the reaction:
2 Al + 3 CoSO4 → Al2(SO4)3 + 3 Co
Step 2: Determine the oxidation states of the elements involved:
In cobalt (II) sulfate (CoSO4), cobalt has an oxidation state of +2, sulfur has an oxidation state of +6, and oxygen has an oxidation state of -2.
Step 3: Identify the reducing and oxidizing agents:
In this reaction, aluminum (Al) gets oxidized from an oxidation state of 0 to +3, which means it is the reducing agent. Cobalt (Co) gets reduced from an oxidation state of +2 to 0, so it is the oxidizing agent.
Step 4: Write the half-reactions:
Al (s) → Al3+ (aq) + 3 e- (oxidation half-reaction)
Co2+ (aq) + 2 e- → Co (s) (reduction half-reaction)
Step 5: Balance the half-reactions:
Multiply the oxidation half-reaction by 3 and the reduction half-reaction by 2 to equalize the number of electrons transferred:
3 Al (s) → 3 Al3+ (aq) + 9 e- (oxidation half-reaction)
2 Co2+ (aq) + 4 e- → 2 Co (s) (reduction half-reaction)
Step 6: Combine the half-reactions:
3 Al (s) + 2 Co2+ (aq) → 3 Al3+ (aq) + 2 Co (s)
Step 7: Write the net ionic equation:
Aluminum metal reacts with cobalt (II) ions to form aluminum ions and metallic cobalt.
Al (s) + Co2+ (aq) → Al3+ (aq) + Co (s)
This is the net ionic equation that represents the reaction of aluminum metal with cobalt (II) sulfate solution.
When aluminum metal is added to a solution of cobalt (II) sulfate, a chemical reaction takes place. The reaction can be represented by the following balanced equation:
2Al + 3CoSO4 -> Al2(SO4)3 + 3Co
To understand what happens in this reaction, we need to consider the reactivity series of metals. Aluminum is more reactive than cobalt, so it can displace cobalt from its compound.
To determine the products of the reaction, we first need to identify the formulas of aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) and cobalt. Aluminum sulfate is formed from the aluminum atoms combining with sulfate ions (SO4²⁻). Cobalt is released as a separate element.
Now, to find the net ionic equation, we need to focus on the species that actually undergo the change.
Net ionic equation:
2Al + 3SO4²⁻ -> Al2(SO4)3
In summary, when aluminum metal is added to a solution of cobalt (II) sulfate, aluminum sulfate and cobalt are formed.