Why does the colour of copper sulphate solution change when an iron nail is dipped in it?
Answer
Iron is a more reactive metal than copper .
(Since it lies above copper in the reactivity series)
K |
Na |
Ba |
Ca |
Mg |
Al |
Zn |
Fe |
Ni |
Sn |
Pb |
H |
Cu |
Hg |
Ag |
Au |
Pt |
Copper Sulphate solution is blue .
When a piece of iron nail is placed in Copper Sulphate solution,
Iron Sulphate and Copper is formed as shown below
Fe(s) + CuSO 4 (aq) → FeSO 4 (aq) + Cu(s)
Hence, the colour of the solution turns from blue to transparent , because Fe displaces Cu from CuSO 4 (Copper Sulphate) to form FeSO 4 (Ferrous sulphate) , which is transparent.