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 | Zinc Sulfate ZnSO₄ | 1 | (aq) |
| Product | Copper Cu | 1 | (s) |
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.