Question

If a student calculated 0.02789 moles of copper(II)cations (Cu2+ ions) in the sample, how many moles of copper metal (Cu0) could be obtain from the sample at the end of the experiment?

Answer 1

• 0.02789 moles of copper metal, Cu⁰, atoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The formation of copper metal (Cu⁰) from copper(II) cations, Cu²⁺ ions, may be represented by the following reduction half-reaction:

• Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu⁰

That means that one Cu²⁺ ion (or one mole of Cu²⁺ ions) gains 2 electrons, reducing itself, to form one Cu⁰ metal atom (or one mol of Cu⁰ metal atoms).

Thus, the stoichiometry is 1 : 1, and you conclude that 0.02789 moles of copper(II) cations, Cu²⁺, permit, theoretically, obtain the same number of moles of Cu⁰ metal atoms.