Question

Which metallic container is suitable to store copper sulfate solution?

Answer 1

Copper Sulfate $\left({\mathrm{CuSO}}_4\right)$:

• It is an inorganic compound
• Different metals have the ability to remove copper from its own solution.
• A metal that is placed higher in the reactivity series than another metal might attack the later metal by displacing it and taking its position in the solution.
• Taking Zinc $\left(\mathrm{Zn}\right)$ as an example, because it lies above copper, the following reaction takes place between zinc and copper sulfate:
• $\mathrm{Zn}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{CuSO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{ZnSO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+\mathrm{Cu}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$.
• Therefore, copper sulfate $\left({\mathrm{CuSO}}_4\right)$ cannot be stored in containers composed of metals such as Calcium$\left(\mathrm{Ca}\right)$, Magnesium$\left(\mathrm{Mg}\right)$, Zinc$\left(\mathrm{Zn}\right)$, and Nickel$\left(\mathrm{Ni}\right)$, among others.
• Copper sulfate $\left({\mathrm{CuSO}}_4\right)$ solution can be kept in a suitable metallic container made of Silver $\left(\mathrm{Ag}\right)$) since this metal doesn't damage copper or pull it away from its salt solution.

Final Answer:

Silver $\left(\mathrm{Ag}\right)$ is a suitable metallic container to store Copper sulfate$\left({\mathrm{CuSO}}_4\right)$.