Experiment : Displacement reaction
AIM
To perform and observe the reaction of iron nails kept in
copper sulphate solution ruts classify the reaction.
CHEMICAL REQUIRED
1. Iron nails
2. Copper sulphate solution
3. Concentrated H2SO4,
APPARATUS REQUIRED
1. Test tubes
2. Sand paper.
3. Test tube stand
THEORY
Iron is more reactive than coppe. When iron is added to an
aqueous solution of a copper sulphate, iron displace, Copper. Iron
displaces copper from copper sulphate
Fe(s)
Iron
(Gray)
brown)
+
CuSO4 (aq)
Copper sulphate
(Blue)

FeSO4(aq)
+ Cu(s)
Ferrous sulphate
Copper
(Light green)
(Reddish brown)
Due to this displacement reaction, the blue colour of solution
turns light green and the iron is covered with a reddish brown
layer of copper.
PROCEDURE
1. Take two iron nails and clean them with a sand paper. .
2. Take 5 mL of copper sulphate solutions in a test tube. Add few drops
of concentrated H2SO4 to make clear solution.
3. Place the iron nails in the test tube containing CuSO4 solution.
4 Keep the test tube containing iron nail in copper sulphate
solution for about 10 minutes.
OBSERVATIONS
S.
Experiment
Observation
Inference
No.
1.
Note the original
Sky blue
The solution contains
colour of the solution.
2.
Note the colour of
Cu2+ ions.
Steel grey
nails
3.
natural colour of iron.
Note the colour of the
Light green
solution after reaction.
4.
The nail has the
Note the colour of the
The solution contains
Fe2+ ions.
Reddish brown
nail after the reaction
The iron nail is covered
by a thin layer of
copper.
RESULT
There is a coating of copper on iron nail of the solution and
the CuSO 4 solution develops a greenish colouration in place
of blue. It is due to the following chemical reaction.
Fe(s)
Iron
(Gray)
+
CuSO4 (aq)
Copper sulphate
(Blue)

FeSO4(aq)
+ Cu(s)
Ferrous sulphate
Copper
(Light green)
(Reddish brown)
This is known as displacement reaction.
PRECAUTIONS
1. Clean the iron nail well by rubbing it with a sand paper.
2. During the experiment the test tube containing iron nail
and CuSO 4 solution should not be disturbed.
3. Wash the hands properly after the experiment.
(Draw the following diagram on the left hand side of your journal)
Displacement Reaction between Iron and Copper sulphate