Zinc Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate

Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu

Overview

Zinc metal displaces copper from copper sulfate solution because zinc is more reactive than copper in the activity series. The blue copper sulfate solution becomes colorless as zinc sulfate forms, and reddish copper metal deposits on the zinc surface. This is a classic demonstration of the reactivity series.

Participants

Role	Substance	Coefficient	State
Reactant	Zinc Zn	1	(s)
Reactant	Copper(II) Sulfate CuSO₄	1	(aq)
Product	Copper Cu	1	(s)
Product	Zinc Sulfate ZnSO₄	1	(aq)

Everyday Example

This reaction is used in zinc-copper electrochemical cells (Daniell cells) and is a common chemistry lab experiment showing metal reactivity.

Industrial Importance

Cementation reactions like this are used in copper recovery from mine drainage waters. Understanding the activity series is fundamental to metallurgy and corrosion science.

Properties

Type: Single Replacement
Reversible: No
Energy: Exothermic
ΔH: -218.7 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid Aluminum Reacting with Iron(III) Oxide (Thermite) Aluminum Reducing Chromium Oxide (Aluminothermic) Calcium Reacting with Water Carbon Reducing Iron Oxide in Blast Furnace Chlorine Displacing Bromine from Sodium Bromide Chlorine Displacing Iodine from Potassium Iodide Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate Fluorine Displacing Chlorine from Sodium Chloride Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Zinc Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate?

The balanced equation is: Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu.

What type of reaction is Zinc Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate?

Zinc Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate is a single replacement reaction.

Is Zinc Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate exothermic or endothermic?

Zinc Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -218.7 kJ/mol.