What happens when aluminum foil and copper wire are placed into a solution of copper sulfate?
Hi Jen, Assuming that the surface of the aluminum foil has been scratched so as to remove its protective oxide coating, and that you are referring to copper (II) sulfate, a layer of copper will slowly form over the aluminum foil, and aluminum will dissolve into solutionThe net ionic equation for the reaction is: 3Cu2+(aq) + 2Al(s) - 3Cu(s) + 2Al3+(aq) This happens because aluminum is higher on the electrochemical activity series (i.e., it wants to be oxidized more than copper does)Because aluminum ions are colorless, the blue color of the solution will also slowly fade over time as copper ions are replaced with aluminum ions.
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