Which of the following equations correctly represents the reaction between zinc metal and aqueous copper(II) sulfate to produce zinc sulfate and copper metal?
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer
A. Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
Principle or equation
A balanced chemical equation must have correct formulas and states; zinc displaces copper from copper(II) sulfate, forming zinc sulfate and copper.
Why this answer is correct
Zinc is more reactive than copper, so it displaces Cu from CuSO4. The correct formulas are ZnSO4 and Cu. States: Zn is solid, CuSO4 is aqueous, ZnSO4 is aqueous, Cu is solid. Option A is balanced and correct.
Example
Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s) is a similar single displacement reaction.
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