What happens when aluminum is added to water and copper chloride?

Answer 1

The aluminum metal appears to be turning into copper, but it is actually just removing the metallic copper from its compound state. The Aluminum is oxidized and loses e-, becoming Al 3+ and the copper ions are reduced (they accept those e-) to form solid copper precipitate. The aluminum ions and chloride ions remain in the solution. The reaction will only occur in water and occurs because the transfer of electrons from the aluminum to the copper results in a more stable system.

Answer 2

the following reaction occurs:

2Al (s) + 3Cu2+ --> 2Al3+ + 3Cu (s)

The aluminum switches places with the copper in copper chloride. Aluminum is oxidized and loses e- and the copper ions are reduced (they accept those e-) to form solid copper precipitate.

Answer 3

When solid aluminum (Al) is placed into a solution of copper sulfate (CuSO4), the copper ions (Cu^2+) will become reduced to form solid copper (Cu) and the Al will be oxidized to aluminum ions (Al^3+). This is an oxidation reduction reaction and the half reactions can be written as:
Cu^2+(aq) + 2e- ===> Cu(s)
Al(s) ===> Al^3+ + 3e-

Answer 4

Answer

I've personally done this experiment, and although it looks like the aluminum is dissolving, the ionic bonds are breaking and causing the foil to decompose.

Answer 5

cu

Answer 6

It floats,