State which of the following chemical reaction will take place, giving a suitable reason for each.
Zn(s)+CuSO4(aq)→ ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
Fe(s)+ ZnSO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq)+Zn(s)
Zn(s)+ FeSO4→ ZnSO4+Fe(s)
(i) Zn(s)+CuSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
The above reaction will take place as zinc is more reactive than copper and hence, it will displace copper from its solution of copper sulphate, thus, forming zinc suphate and leaving copper ion.
(ii)Fe(s)+ ZnSO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq)+Zn(s)
The reaction will not take place as iron is less reactive than zinc and will not be able to displace zinc from zinc sulphate solution.
(iii) Zn(s)+ FeSO4→ ZnSO4+Fe(s)
The reaction will take place in the forward direction as zinc is more reactive than iron and hence will displace iron from its solution of ferrous sulphate, thus, forming Zinc sulphate and leaving behind iron.