Question

A strip of metal X is dipped in a blue coloured salt solution YSO₄. After some time, a layer of metal Y from the salt solution is formed on the surface of metal strip X. Metal X is used in galvanisation whereas metal Y is used in making electric wires. Metal X and metal Y together form an alloy Z.

1. What could metal X be?
2. What could metal Y be?
3. Name the metal salt YSO₄.
4. What type of chemical reaction takes place when metal X reacts with salt solution YSO₄? Write the equation of the chemical reaction involved.
5. Name the alloy Z.

Answer 1

1. Metal X is zinc (Zn). Zinc is widely used for galvanising iron to prevent it from rusting.
2. Metal Y is copper (Cu). Copper is highly conductive and is the standard metal used for making electric wires.
3. Metal salt YSO₄ is Copper(II) Sulphate (CuSO₄). This salt is known for its distinctive blue colour.
4. A displacement reaction takes place. Because zinc is more reactive than copper, it displaces the copper from the copper sulphate solution, forming a layer of copper on the zinc strip.
   \[\ce{Zn_{(s)} + CuSO4_{(aq)} -> ZnSO4_{(aq)} + Cu_{(s)}}\]
5. Brass