If copper (II) sulfate solution and an iron nail are in contact, a replacement reaction occurs. What would the products of the reaction be?

Question

2Fe + 3CuSO4 → ?

2Fe + 3CuSO4
Fe2(SO4)3 + 3Cu
2Fe + 3Cu + 3S + 3O4

Answer 1

In a single replacement reaction between iron (Fe) and copper(II) sulfate (CuSO₄), iron replaces copper in the sulfate compound. The balanced reaction you provided shows iron reacting with copper(II) sulfate:

\[ 2 \text{Fe} + 3 \text{CuSO}_4 \rightarrow \text{Fe}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3 + 3 \text{Cu} \]

In this reaction, the products are iron(III) sulfate (\(\text{Fe}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3\)) and copper (\(3 \text{Cu}\)).

Therefore, the correct products of the reaction are:

Iron(III) sulfate and copper metal: \[ \text{Fe}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3 + 3\text{Cu} \]