Why does aluminum foil not react with metal sulphates? I reacted it with Zinc Sulphate, Copper sulphate and Iron sulphate and though according to its reducing properties aluminum should have displaced all three, it didnt. Does it have something to do with the fact that its in the form of aluminum foil? Or is there some other property I have to take into consideration?
It will work if you add some mercury, which will remove the protective oxide layer on the aluminium.
Aluminium foil is anodised. That means the aluminium has been oxidised so it doesn't react with the air. If the oxide layer is removed (amalgamated), the aluminium foil will no longer be shiny, and will quickly react with the air again. Pure aluminium is very reactive!
