Question
Question: When iron is added to \(CuS{O_4}\)solution, copper is precipitated . It is due to : A.oxidation of...
When iron is added to CuSO4solution, copper is precipitated . It is due to :
A.oxidation of Cu+2
B.reduction of Cu+2
C.hydrolysis of CuSO4
D.ionization of CuSO4
Solution
We know that when iron is added in CuSO4solution , copper is precipitated . The reaction between iron and CuSO4is an example of redox reaction . That is it undergoes both oxidation and reduction reaction simultaneously .
Complete step by step solution:
The chemical reaction between CuSO4solution and iron can be written as : Fe+CuSO4→Fe(SO4)+Cu. Now we will write the chemical reaction by denoting their respective oxidation states: Fe0+CuIISO4→FeII(SO4)+Cu0. We can observe that The oxidation number of Fe is changing from 0 to 2. The oxidation number is increasing , that means it is undergoing oxidation. Similarly the oxidation state of Cu is changing from 2 to 0. The oxidation number is decreasing , that means Cu+2 is undergoing a reduction reaction.
Hence, option: B. reduction of Cu+2 is correct.**
Additional information: CuSO4 is also known as blue vitriol (pentahydrate).In the reaction Fe+CuSO4→Fe(SO4)+Cu ,CuSO4 is an oxidising agent and Feis a reducing agent. CuSO4 can kill bacteria, algae, roots, plants ,snails and fungi. Copper sulphate can be toxic. The toxicity depends on the copper content. The anhydrous copper sulphate is greenish white in colour .The pentahydrate form is blue in colour. The density of anhydrous copper sulphate is 3.60g/cm3. An anhydrous compound does not contain water molecules attached to it.
Note:
Always remember that whenever iron is added to CuSO4 solution, the reaction we will observe is Fe0+CuIISO4→FeII(SO4)+Cu0. Copper ions get reduced and get precipitated. The iron gets oxidised from Feto FeII.In this reaction CuSO4is an oxidising agent and Fe is a reducing agent.