🔩 Iron nail in copper sulfate: virtual chemistry experiment
A more reactive metal displaces copper: the nail turns pink and the blue fades to green.
▶ Launch this experiment freeRuns in your browser on any phone, tablet or laptop. No sign-up, no install, no chemicals needed.
What you'll do
- Add 2 g of iron (Solids → Iron nail)
- Watch copper coat the nail as the solution turns green
- Stir to speed it up
The chemistry behind it
Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu. Iron is above copper in the reactivity series, so it gives up electrons to Cu²⁺ ions.
Why do this experiment virtually?
Many school labs can't run this experiment safely or don't have the chemicals. In Faradium you set it up in seconds, repeat it as often as you like, change the amounts and see the real result: colours, gases, precipitates and temperature changes. The lab notebook records every observation with the balanced equation for your write-up.
Frequently asked questions
How do you do the iron nail in copper sulfate experiment?
1. Add 2 g of iron (Solids → Iron nail) 2. Watch copper coat the nail as the solution turns green 3. Stir to speed it up You can run every step free in the Faradium virtual chemistry lab.
What is the chemistry behind iron nail in copper sulfate?
Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu. Iron is above copper in the reactivity series, so it gives up electrons to Cu²⁺ ions.
Can I do the iron nail in copper sulfate experiment online for free?
Yes. Faradium sets up the bench for you and ticks off each step as you complete it. It runs in any browser on a phone, tablet or laptop with no sign-up and no chemicals.
Chemistry in this experiment
Elements involved: Oxygen (O), Sulfur (S), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu).
Molar masses you may need: CuSO4.
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