Can the reaction 2Ni(s)+MgSo4(aq) occur.Explain why?
To determine if the reaction 2Ni(s) + MgSO4(aq) can occur, we need to consider the reactivity of the elements involved.
1. Nickel (Ni): Nickel is a relatively unreactive metal, commonly used in alloys due to its resistance to corrosion. It does not easily react with most common compounds, including magnesium sulfate (MgSO4).
2. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4): Magnesium sulfate is a soluble salt, commonly found in mineral deposits and used in various applications. It can dissociate into its constituent ions in water, forming Mg2+ and SO42- ions.
Based on the reactivity series of metals, magnesium is more reactive than nickel. Therefore, magnesium can potentially displace nickel in a chemical reaction.
The reaction can be represented as follows:
2 Ni(s) + MgSO4(aq) → 2 NiSO4(aq) + Mg(s)
In this reaction, the magnesium (Mg) will react with the sulfate (SO4) ions to form solid magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), while the nickel (Ni) will remain unchanged since it is less reactive.
However, it is worth noting that in practice, such a reaction might not be very favorable or might occur under specific conditions (e.g., high temperatures, presence of a catalyst). While the theoretical possibility of this reaction exists, it is unlikely to occur readily in everyday conditions.