The reaction of aluminium and copper(II) sulfate

A close-up photograph of wrinkled silver aluminium foil

Source: © Getty Images

Try this practical or demonstration to illustrate the displacement of copper from copper sulfate using aluminium foil, with kit list and safety instructions.

In this experiment, students add aluminium cooking foil to copper(II) sulfate solution and observe no reaction. They then add and dissolve sodium chloride, producing a vigorous displacement reaction which illustrates the reactivity of aluminium.

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