Reactivity of Iron and Copper: The Difference Explained
Iron is an element with higher reactivity than copper, meaning it readily undergoes chemical reactions. This makes iron more prone to corroding and rusting when exposed to water and air compared to copper, a more stable element.
Why iron is more
reactive than copper
iron is more reactive than copper because the iron atom has a smaller atomic radius and a higher ionization energy. This means that it is easier to remove an electron from an iron atom and form an ion, making it more reactive in chemical reactions. Additionally, copper has a more stable electron configuration and a stronger metallic bond, which also makes it less reactive.
FAQ
Is iron more reactive than zinc?
Iron is less reactive than zinc. Zinc is more reactive than iron
because zinc has a lower ionization energy and a smaller atomic radius than
iron. This means that it is easier to remove an electron from a zinc atom and
form an ion, making it more reactive in chemical reactions. Additionally, zinc
has a less stable electron configuration than iron, which also makes it more
reactive.
show that iron is more
reactive than copper
Iron is more reactive than copper can be shown through a simple experiment by immersing a piece of iron and a piece of copper in an aqueous solution of copper sulfate. The copper will remain unchanged, while the iron will begin to rust and dissolve, forming iron ions in the solution. This is a clear indication that the iron is more reactive than the copper, as it is undergoing a chemical reaction while the copper remains unchanged. Another example is by immersing iron and copper in a solution of dilute sulfuric acid. Copper will not react with the acid but iron will react and produce hydrogen gas, Fe + H2SO4 -> FeSO4 + H2.
These experiments demonstrate that iron is more reactive than copper because it is more likely to participate in chemical reactions and to lose electrons to form positive ions.
is iron more reactive than
chlorine?
Iron is less reactive than chlorine. Chlorine is a highly reactive
element and is a powerful oxidizing agent, meaning it readily gains electrons
in chemical reactions. Iron, on the other hand, is a less reactive element and
is typically a reducing agent, meaning it readily loses electrons in chemical
reactions. When chlorine and iron are brought into contact, the chlorine will
readily oxidize the iron, forming iron(III) chloride. For example, the reaction
between iron and chlorine can be represented as : Fe + Cl2 -> FeCl3 This
reaction shows that chlorine is more reactive than iron because it causes the
iron to lose electrons and form a positive ion.
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