Zinc metal is added to copper sulphate solution

Zinc metal is added to copper sulphate solution in a chemical reaction known as a displacement reaction or a single replacement reaction. This reaction occurs due to the difference in reactivity between zinc and copper.

Displacement Reaction:
A displacement reaction is a type of chemical reaction where an element reacts with a compound, displacing another element from it. In this case, zinc (Zn) reacts with copper sulphate (CuSO4), resulting in the displacement of copper (Cu) from the compound.

Reaction Equation:
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is as follows:
Zn (s) + CuSO4 (aq) → ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu (s)

Explanation:
When zinc metal is added to a solution of copper sulphate, the zinc atoms lose electrons and are oxidized to form zinc ions (Zn2+). This oxidation process is represented by the half-reaction:
Zn (s) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2e-

On the other hand, copper ions (Cu2+) in the copper sulphate solution gain electrons and are reduced to form solid copper metal. This reduction process is represented by the half-reaction:
Cu2+ (aq) + 2e- → Cu (s)

The overall reaction combines these two half-reactions and can be represented as:
Zn (s) + CuSO4 (aq) → ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu (s)

Observations:
When zinc is added to the copper sulphate solution, several observations can be made:
1. The blue color of the copper sulphate solution fades as the reaction progresses.
2. A red-brown solid copper metal is formed, which can be seen as a precipitate or sediment at the bottom of the container.
3. The zinc metal gradually loses its shiny appearance and may appear dull or coated with a reddish-brown deposit.
4. The temperature of the solution may increase slightly due to the exothermic nature of the reaction.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, when zinc metal is added to a copper sulphate solution, a displacement reaction occurs. Zinc atoms are oxidized to form zinc ions, while copper ions are reduced to form solid copper metal. The reaction can be observed through changes in color, formation of a precipitate, and the appearance of the zinc metal.

Zn+CUSO4->ZnSO4+Cu