⚗️
Activity 3.9 — Fe in CuSO₄: Displacement
NCERT Activity 3.9: Place an iron nail in blue copper sulphate solution. Watch the solution fade from blue to pale green as iron displaces copper — a classic displacement reaction.
How To Perform
1
Place the Iron Nail
Immerse a clean iron nail in a beaker of blue copper sulphate (CuSO₄) solution.
2
Observe Immediately
Right after placing — no visible change. The reaction needs time.
3
Wait 20 Minutes
Over time, the blue solution fades to pale green and a brown coating appears on the nail.
4
Observe the Final Result
Pale green FeSO₄ solution + reddish-brown copper coating on the nail.
5
Understand Why
Iron is more reactive than copper — it displaces copper from its salt solution.
⚠️ Safety Notes
- •Copper sulphate is toxic — avoid ingestion and skin contact.
- •Wash hands after handling copper sulphate solution.