Assertion (A) Analysis: Copper Wire in Iron Sulphate Solution

Assertion (A) states that a copper wire shows no visible reaction when placed in an iron sulphate solution. To determine if this is true, we need to consider the chemical properties involved.

Iron sulphate ($\text{FeSO}_4$) is an ionic compound that dissolves in water to form iron(II) ions ($\text{Fe}^{2+}$) and sulphate ions ($\text{SO}_4^{2-}$). A reaction would occur if the copper wire could displace the iron ions from the solution. This type of reaction is known as a displacement reaction, which happens based on the relative reactivity of the metals involved.

Since copper is less reactive than iron, it cannot displace iron ions. Therefore, no visible changes, such as the deposition of iron on the copper wire or the dissolution of the copper wire, are observed. This confirms that Assertion (A) is true.

Reason (R) Analysis: Relative Reactivity of Copper and Iron

Reason (R) states that copper is less reactive than iron. This statement relates to the standard reactivity series of metals, which ranks metals according to their reactivity. The reactivity series is a list of metals in order of their decreasing reactivity.

According to the standard reactivity series:

• Potassium (K)
• Sodium (Na)
• Calcium (Ca)
• Magnesium (Mg)
• Aluminium (Al)
• Zinc (Zn)
• Iron (Fe)
• Lead (Pb)
• Hydrogen (H)
• Copper (Cu)
• Silver (Ag)
• Gold (Au)

As seen from the series, Iron ($\text{Fe}$) is positioned above Copper ($\text{Cu}$). This means Iron is more reactive than Copper, or conversely, Copper is less reactive than Iron. Thus, Reason (R) is true.

Explanation: Linking Reason to Assertion

The core principle governing whether a metal can displace another metal from its compound is their relative reactivity. A metal higher in the reactivity series can displace a metal lower in the series from its salt solution.

In this case:

• Copper ($\text{Cu}$) is less reactive than Iron ($\text{Fe}$).
• Therefore, Copper ($\text{Cu}$) cannot displace Iron ($\text{Fe}^{2+}$) ions from the iron sulphate ($\text{FeSO}_4$) solution.

This inability of copper to displace iron directly explains why no visible reaction occurs when a copper wire is placed in iron sulphate solution. Hence, Reason (R) is the correct explanation for Assertion (A).

Conclusion: Evaluating the Statements

Based on the analysis:

• Assertion (A) is true.
• Reason (R) is true.
• Reason (R) correctly explains Assertion (A).

Therefore, the option which states that both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A), accurately describes the situation.