Question

How do you write an equation to represent "zinc reacts with copper (II) nitrate to form zinc nitrate and copper"?

Answer 1

`Zn(s) + Cu(NO_3)_2(aq) rarr Zn(NO_3)_2(aq) + Cu(s)`

Explanation:

Zinc is a more active metal than copper (it lies higher up the activity series). Therefore zinc metal will displace copper from aqueous solution, resulting in deposition of a copper plate.

Zinc reduces the copper ion, and the copper ion oxidizes the zinc.