When an iron nail is dipped into a copper solution, a shiny coat of copper is formed on the nail.

Question

Give scientific reason for the following:

When an iron nail is dipped into a copper solution, a shiny coat of copper is formed on the nail.

Answer 1

• Iron is more reactive than copper.
• When an iron nail is dipped into copper sulphate solution, iron displaces copper from the copper sulphate solution. The copper so liberated deposits on the iron nail. As a result, a shiny coat of copper is formed on the nail.