Paper 2 · November 2015 · Acids, Bases and Salts
Write a balanced chemical equation, with state symbols, for the reaction between zinc granules and copper(II) sulfate solution.
Model answer
Zn + CuSO4 -> ZnSO4 + Cu
Also accepted: Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) -> ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s), Zn + CuSO4 = ZnSO4 + Cu
Explanation
Zinc is more reactive than copper, so it displaces copper from copper(II) sulfate solution: Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) -> ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s).
Derived from ZIMSEC Chemistry 4024/2 Paper 2 Theory, November 2015, Q1