Question

A student dips a zinc plate in copper sulphate solution. Write the equation of the chemical reaction taking place. Which metal is displaced during this reaction?

Answer 1

Hint: The reaction between zinc and copper sulphate solution is an oxidation-reduction reaction or we can say redox reaction, in which there is transfer of electrons takes place in between two species. During this reaction zinc sulphate solution is obtained.

Complete answer:
- It is observed that when a zinc plate is dipped in copper sulphate solution, the following reaction takes place.
\[Zn\left( s \right)+CuS{{O}_{4}}\left( aq \right)\to ZnS{{O}_{4}}\left( aq \right)+Cu\left( s \right)\]
- Here, we can see that zinc sulphate is formed.
- Zinc is having silver whitish colour, which when reacted with copper sulphate solution that is blue in colour will give zinc sulphate (having no colour), and copper (reddish in colour).
- Here, we can see that zinc sulphate is formed and the copper is deposited on a zinc strip.
- During this reaction, zinc reduces the copper.
- This reaction clearly shows that; zinc is more reactive than copper as it displaces copper from its solution. And zinc passes into solution in the form of zinc ions, and also zinc sulphate solution is formed.

Note:
- Copper sulphate solution is having blue colour while Zinc sulphate solution is colourless.
- This reaction is an exothermic reaction, which basically gives out heat as a source of energy. This is because zinc is having higher reactivity than that of copper, and due to which zinc reduces the copper.