Can a nickel spoon be used to stir a solution of copper sulphate ? Support your answer with reason. `[E^(@)(Ni^(2+)//Ni)= -0.25V,E^(@)(Cu^(2+)//Cu)=+0.34V]`

Explanation

Let us see if nickel reacts with coper sulphate solution or not. If it reacts, thes nickel spoon cannot be used to stiir a solution of copper sulphate.
Nickel will react (if possible) with copper sulphate solution, as follows:
`Ni(s)+CuSO_(4)(aq) to NiSO_(4)(aq)+Cu(s)`
or `Ni(s)+Cu^(2+)(aq)toNi^(2+)(aq)+Cu(s)`
the two half cell reactions are as follows:
`Ni(s) to Ni^(2+)(aq)+2e^(-)`
`Cu^(2+)(aq)+2e^(-) to Cu(s)`
The cell representing this redox reaction is:
`Ni|Ni^(2+)(aq)||Cu^(2+)|Cu`
`EMF^(@)=E^(@)(Cu^(2+)//Cu)-E^(@)(Ni^(2+)//Ni)`
`=+0.3V-(-0.25V)`
`=(+0.34+0.25)V=+0.59V`
As the `EMF^(@) gt0`, the redox reaction is spontaneous in the given direction. thus nickel spoon cannot be used to stir a solution of copper sulphate.