The student decided to do another experiment with his leftover copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4) solution. He divided the solution up i
nto two beakers. He dropped an iron nail (Fe(s)) into one beaker. He dropped a silver rod (Ag(s)) into the other. Write the chemical equation of any reactions he saw.
This reaction is a classic example of a redox reaction. I won't go in too deep, but the basic thing is that electrons from the Fe atom go to the Cu2+ ion. Therefore, Fe becomes an ion, and Cu - an electroneutral atom:
Fe + Cu2+ -> Fe2+ + Cu.
Silver is not a very reactive metal and it does not give up its electrons to Cu.
