Question

Fe + CuSO4 reaction can have 2 balanced chemical equations depending on the iron ion charge

CuSO4 (aq) + Fe (s) --> Cu (s) + FeSO4 (aq) [this would occur if the charge on iron is 2+].

3 CuSO4 (aq) + 2 Fe (s) --> 3 Cu (s) + Fe2(SO4)3 (aq) [this would occur if the charge on iron is 3+].

How do you predict before conducting experiment which equation is more likely to occur. Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

The charge of 2+ is the most common in Iron. So while writing always write using 2+ unless it is mentioned that the iron is Iron (III) or Ferric