Principle

In this experiment students examine the reaction of metals in salt solutions.  Students put iron or iron wool into a copper sulfate solution and solid copper into an iron sulfate solution.  With this experiment students learn that metals can be deposited from a salt solution of a nobler metal (reduction reaction) with the help of a solid metal (which is less noble). The solid metal itself is oxidized and the ions dissolves into soltion (oxidation reaction).

 

What you can learn about


Solid metals usualy react with noble metal ions,  but noble, solid metals mostly do not react with metal ions

Reduction reaction is always linked with an oxidation reaction