Understanding the Assertion and Reason Statements

This question asks us to evaluate two statements about a chemical scenario involving copper wire and iron sulphate solution. We need to determine if each statement is true or false and if the second statement (Reason) correctly explains the first statement (Assertion).

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

Assertion (A) states that placing a copper wire into an iron sulphate solution does not result in any observable changes.

• A chemical reaction occurs between a metal and a salt solution if the metal is more reactive than the metal present in the salt solution. This type of reaction is called a displacement reaction.
• The reaction would look like this: $Metal 1 + Salt Solution of Metal 2 → Salt Solution of Metal 1 + Metal 2$
• In this case, we have Copper (Cu) metal and Iron Sulphate ($FeSO₄$) solution. The metal in the salt solution is Iron (Fe).
• For a reaction to occur, Copper must be more reactive than Iron.
• Based on common chemical knowledge and reactivity series, Copper is less reactive than Iron.
• Therefore, Copper cannot displace Iron from the $FeSO₄$ solution.
• As a result, no visible reaction, such as the deposition of iron metal or a change in the solution's color (which would change from pale green if Fe²⁺ ions were replaced), is expected.

Thus, Assertion (A) is true.

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

Reason (R) provides a statement about the relative reactivity of Copper and Iron.

We can refer to the standard reactivity series of metals:

• As seen in the reactivity series, Iron (Fe) is positioned above Copper (Cu).
• Metals higher in the series are more reactive than metals lower in the series.
• Therefore, Iron is indeed more reactive than Copper, meaning Copper is less reactive than Iron.

Thus, Reason (R) is true.

Evaluating the Explanation

Now, we need to check if Reason (R) correctly explains Assertion (A).

• Assertion (A) states no visible reaction occurs when copper wire is placed in iron sulphate solution.
• Reason (R) states that copper is less reactive than iron.
• The lack of a visible reaction (Assertion A) is a direct consequence of copper's lower reactivity compared to iron (Reason R). Because copper is less reactive, it cannot displace iron ions ($Fe²⁺$) from the solution.
• Therefore, Reason (R) provides the correct scientific explanation for Assertion (A).

Conclusion

Both statements A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation for A.