Question

What is the net ionic equation for the reaction of solid iron with aqueous copper sulfate? (Hint: First use the activity series to write the formula unit equation!)

Answer 1

Answer:

The net ionic equation for the reaction of solid iron with aqueous copper sulfate:

$Fe(s)+Cu^{2+}(aq)\rightarrow Fe^{2+}+(aq)+Cu(s)$

Explanation:

Solid iron = Fe

Copper sulfate = $CuSO_4$

$Fe(s)+CuSO_4(aq)\rightarrow FeSO_4(aq)+Cu(s)$

In an aqueous solution of copper sulfate we have copper (II) ions and sulfate ions.

$CuSO_4(aq)\rightarrow Cu^{2+}(aq)+SO_4^{2-}(aq)$

In an aqueous solution of ferrous sulfate we have ion (II) ions and sulfate ions.

$FeSO_4(aq)\rightarrow Fe^{2+}+(aq)+SO_4^{2-}(aq)$

$Fe(s)+Cu^{2+}(aq)+SO_4^{2-}(aq)\rightarrow Fe^{2+}+(aq)+SO_4^{2-}(aq)+Fe^{2+}+(aq)$

Cancelling out the common ions from both sides, we get the net ionic equation:

$Fe(s)+Cu^{2+}(aq)\rightarrow Fe^{2+}+(aq)+Cu(s)$

Answer 2

For the answer to the question above,
The reaction of solid iron with aqueous copper sulfate is an example of a single displacement type of reaction which exchanges only the cations of the element and the compound. In this case, the equation is 

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