Iron Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate
Fe + CuSO4 → FeSO4 + Cu
Overview
Iron metal replaces copper in copper sulfate solution because iron is higher in the reactivity series than copper. An iron nail placed in blue copper sulfate solution gradually turns coppery brown as metallic copper deposits on it, while the solution loses its blue color.
Participants
| Role | Substance | Coefficient | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reactant | Iron Fe | 1 | (s) |
| Reactant | Copper(II) Sulfate CuSO₄ | 1 | (aq) |
| Product | Copper Cu | 1 | (s) |
Everyday Example
Placing an iron nail in copper sulfate solution is one of the most classic experiments taught in middle school science classes.
Industrial Importance
Iron cementation is used commercially to recover copper from leach solutions in hydrometallurgical copper processing plants.
Properties
- Type
- Single Replacement
- Reversible
- No
- Energy
- Exothermic
- ΔH
- -152.3 kJ/mol
Related Reactions
Aluminum Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid
Aluminum Reacting with Iron(III) Oxide (Thermite)
Aluminum Reducing Chromium Oxide (Aluminothermic)
Calcium Reacting with Water
Carbon Reducing Iron Oxide in Blast Furnace
Chlorine Displacing Bromine from Sodium Bromide
Chlorine Displacing Iodine from Potassium Iodide
Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate
Fluorine Displacing Chlorine from Sodium Chloride
Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the equation for Iron Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate?
The balanced equation is: Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu.
What type of reaction is Iron Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate?
Iron Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate is a single replacement reaction.
Is Iron Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate exothermic or endothermic?
Iron Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -152.3 kJ/mol.