Reaction Between an Iron Nail and CuSO4 (aq)

The aim of this experiment is to study the displacement reaction between iron and copper sulphate. The reaction between an iron nail and copper sulphate solution is an example of a single displacement reaction. Iron displaces copper ions from an aqueous solution of copper sulphate. In the reaction between an iron nail and copper sulphate solution, metallic iron is converted into ferrous ion (Fe²⁺), and cupric ion (Cu²⁺) is converted into metallic copper. 

                           Fe(s) + CuSO₄(aq) ? FeSO₄(aq) + Cu(s)

Experiment

To perform this experiment, apparatus and materials are required: two test tubes, two iron nails, a test tube stand, a piece of sandpaper, copper sulphate, distilled water, and dilute sulphuric acid.

1. The following procedure is conducted to perform this experiment.
2. Take two iron nails and clean them with sandpaper.
3. Take 20 mL of distilled water in a clean test tube and dissolve 1.0 g of copper sulphate in it. Add 2 or 3 drops of dil. sulphuric acid to it to check the hydrolysis of CuSO₄ in water. Label this test tube as ‘A’. 
4. Transfer about 10 mL of copper sulphate solution from tube ‘A’ to another clean test tube. Label this test tube as ‘B’. 
5. Tie one iron nail with a thread and immerse it carefully into the copper sulphate solution in test tube ‘A’ for about 15 minutes. Keep the other iron nail separately for comparison afterwards.
6. After 15 minutes, take out the iron nail from the copper sulphate solution. 
7. Compare the intensity of the blue colour of the copper sulphate solution before and after the experiment in tubes ‘A’ and ‘B’, and also compare the colour of the iron nail dipped in the copper sulphate solution with the one kept separately. Record your observations.

From this experiment, we hereby conclude that when an iron nail reacts with an aqueous copper sulphate solution, a single displacement reaction occurs, and ferrous sulphate is produced. The formed product, that is, ferrous sulphate, imparts a pale green colour to the solution. The copper metal, thus formed, gets deposited on the iron nail. 

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