Chemistry- Silver Recovery

Question

Copper(II) ions can be displaced by aluminum metal.

3 CuSO4(aq) + 2 Al(s) → Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 3 Cu(s)

How many grams of Al would be needed to displace all of the copper ions in 49.7 mL of 0.370 M CuSO4?

Answer 1

Copper(II) ions can be displaced by aluminum metal.

3 CuSO4(aq) + 2 Al(s) → Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 3 Cu(s)

How many grams of Al would be needed to displace all of the copper ions in 49.7 mL of 0.370 M CuSO4?

Calculate the moles of CuSO₄ reactant.

0.370 M * 49.7 mL CuSO4 / 1000 mL/L = 0.018389 moles CuSO₄

From the balanced reaction equation, 3 moles of CuSO₄ require 2 moles of Al.

0.018389 moles CuSO₄ * (2 moles Al / 3 moles CuSO₄) = 0.0122593 moles Al needed

Finally convert moles to grams via the atomic weight of Al.

0.0122593 mol Al * 26.9815 g/mol = 0.331 g Al(s)