Question

A zinc plate was kept in a glass container having CuSO₄ solution. On examining it was found that the blue colour of the solution is getting lighter and lighter. After a few days, when the zinc plate was taken out of the solution, a number of small holes were noticed in it. State the reason and give chemical equation of the reaction involved.

Answer 1

Zinc is more reactive than copper. A portion of the zinc from the zinc plate dissolves and displaces copper from the copper sulphate solution. The dissolution of zinc metal creates minute perforations in the zinc plate. The blue hue of the copper sulphate solution diminishes progressively due to the creation of a colourless zinc sulphate solution.

\[\ce{Zn_{(s)} + CuSO4_{(aq)} -> ZnSO4_{(aq)} + Cu_{(s)}}\]