[msandra]

Again, when i am balancing the equation, i found 2 possible equations.

1. 3Fe (s) + 4CuCl2 (aq) --> 4Cu (s) + FeCl2 (aq) + 2FeCl3 (aq)
2. 4Fe (s) + 5CuCl2 (aq) --> 5Cu (s) + 2FeCl2 (aq) + 2FeCl3 (aq)

which one is accurate?

This is very important becuase I need to determine the copper to iron mole ratio and then find out the % error.

Thanks.

[AWK]

Without oxidizer you cannot obtain Fe³⁺ so only this equation is correct
Fe + CuCl₂ = FeCl₂ + Cu

[msandra]

Thanks. let me provide more information.

In the experiment, iron nail is added to the CuCl2 solution and rest undisturbed to let the ration take place. This experiment is used to determmine the moles of reactants used and moles of products formed.

After calculation, I got the ratio of mole of Cu formed to mole of Fe used = 1.888:1

Fe(s) + CuCl2(aq) --> Cu(s) + FeCl2 , then the therotical ratio is 1:1. That is a very large error compare to what we get.

Therefore I think of formation of Iron(III) Chloride,  2Fe(s) + 3CuCl2(aq) --> 3Cu(s) + 2FeCl3 (aq). The mole ratio of Cu to Fe is 3:2 which is more closer to the result of the lab.

Then, I combined the 2 equations.

If you are right, can you tell me why Fe3+ will not present? I can't think of any idea explain why we got 1.888:1 instead of 1:1. May it becuase of contamination?

My classmate claimed that they saw some black particles inside the  bottle that contains CuCl2 solid.