* The iron nails become coated with a reddish-brown deposit. This deposit is metallic copper, formed as the iron reacts with the copper ions in the solution.
* The blue color of the copper sulphate solution fades. This is because copper ions are being removed from the solution as they are deposited onto the iron nails.
Word equations for the reaction:
1. Displacement reaction:
* Iron + Copper Sulphate → Iron Sulphate + Copper
2. Ionic equation:
* Iron + Copper(II) ions → Iron(II) ions + Copper
Explanation:
Iron is more reactive than copper, meaning it has a stronger tendency to lose electrons. When an iron nail is placed in copper sulphate solution, the iron atoms lose electrons and become iron(II) ions (Fe²⁺). These electrons are then gained by the copper(II) ions (Cu²⁺) in the solution, causing them to become neutral copper atoms (Cu).
This reaction is a classic example of a displacement reaction, where a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its salt solution. The iron displaces the copper from the copper sulphate solution, resulting in the formation of iron sulphate and the deposition of metallic copper on the iron nails.
