Question

What type of reaction is represented by the equation `Zn(s)+H_2SO_4(aq)->ZnSO_4(aq)+H_2(g)`?

Answer 1

The given reaction is a type of Displacement Reaction.

Explanation:

Displacement reaction is a kind of reaction in which a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from its salt solution or a compound.
The reaction above is also a Single Displacement Reaction between a metal and an acid.
The comparison between reactivity is done using a reactivity series.
Reactivity series is shown below:-

As you see Zinc lies above Hydrogen in this series, so it is more reactive and hence it displaces hydrogen in `H_2SO_4`. This results in the formation of `ZnSO_4` with the evolution of `H_2` gas (you see this had been displaced by zinc).

Answer 2

It's a redox-reaction.

Explanation:

The zinc is oxidized from `Zn->Zn^(2+)+2e^-`
The hydrogen is reduced from `2H^+ +2e^(-) -> H_2`

`H_2SO_4(aq)` is actually `2H^+ +SO_4^(2-)`
And
`ZnSO_4(aq)` is actually `Zn^(2+) +SO_4^(2-)`

Since the sulfate (`SO_4^(2+)`)-ion is unchanged (we call this a 'spectator' ion) we can leave it out of the equation:

The net equation is:
`Zn(s)+2H^+ (aq)->Zn^(2+)(aq) + H_2(g)`