Question

Decide whether a chemical reaction happens in either of the following situations. If a reaction does happen, write the chemical equation for it. Be sure your chemical equation is balanced and has physical state symbols.

1) A strip of solid iron metal is put into a beaker of 0.072M Cu(NO3)2 solution.
2) A strip of solid copper metal is put into a beaker of 0.081M FeSO4 solution.

Answer 1

1. Fe(s) + Cu(NO3)2(l) = Fe(NO3)2(l) +Cu(s) gibbs energy is negative hence reaction will move forward

Step-by-step explanation:

Solid iron strip will react with Cu(NO3)2 solution but copper will not react with FeSO4 solution because gibbs energy of this reaction is positive and the reaction is only occur when gibbs energy is negative.

1. Fe(s) + Cu(NO3)2(l) = Fe(NO3)2(l) +Cu(s) gibbs energy is negative hence reaction will move forward

2. Cu(s) + FeSO4(l) = Fe(S) +CuSO4(s) gibbs energy is positive hence reaction will not occur