Understanding Chemical Reactivity: Copper and Iron Sulphate

This question asks us to evaluate two statements, an Assertion (A) and a Reason (R), about the reaction between copper wire and iron sulphate solution. We need to determine if the statements are true and if the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.

Analyzing Assertion (A): Copper wire in iron sulphate solution shows no visible reaction.

To check if this statement is true, we need to consider the concept of reactivity of metals. A more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its salt solution. The reaction that might occur is:

$Cu_{(s)} + FeSO_{4(aq)} \rightarrow ?$

This reaction involves copper trying to displace iron from iron sulphate solution. For this reaction to happen, copper must be more reactive than iron. Let's look at the standard reactivity series of metals (from most reactive to least reactive):

In this series, iron (Fe) appears before copper (Cu). This means iron is more reactive than copper. Since copper is less reactive than iron, it cannot displace iron from its salt solution ($FeSO_{4}$). Therefore, no chemical reaction occurs, and the copper wire shows no visible change.

So, Assertion (A) is true.

Analyzing Reason (R): Copper is less reactive than iron.

As we saw from the reactivity series discussed above, iron (Fe) is positioned above copper (Cu). This indicates that iron is indeed more reactive than copper.

Therefore, the statement "Copper is less reactive than iron" is true.

Evaluating the Relationship Between Assertion (A) and Reason (R)

We've established that:

• Assertion (A) is true: No visible reaction occurs when copper wire is placed in iron sulphate solution.
• Reason (R) is true: Copper is less reactive than iron.

Now, we need to see if Reason (R) explains Assertion (A). The reason why copper does not displace iron from iron sulphate solution (Assertion A) is precisely because copper is less reactive than iron (Reason R). The lower reactivity of copper prevents it from displacing the more reactive iron ions from the solution.

Thus, Reason (R) provides the correct scientific explanation for Assertion (A).

Conclusion

Both statements are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

This matches the option: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.