Zinc displaces copper from an aqueous solution of copper (ll) salt because
Answer Details
Zinc displaces copper from an aqueous solution of copper (II) salt because zinc is more reactive than copper.
Reactivity is the tendency of a metal to lose electrons and form positive ions. Metals that have a higher tendency to lose electrons are more reactive than those with a lower tendency. Zinc is more reactive than copper, which means it has a greater tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions.
When zinc is added to an aqueous solution of copper (II) salt, such as copper (II) sulfate, the zinc atoms lose electrons to form zinc ions. These zinc ions then react with the copper ions in the solution by displacing them from the copper (II) sulfate. The displaced copper ions then form a solid layer of copper on the surface of the zinc metal, which can be observed as a red-brown coating on the zinc.
Therefore, the reason why zinc displaces copper from an aqueous solution of copper (II) salt is that zinc is more reactive than copper, and it has a greater tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions.