Question

Consider the half reactions below for a chemical reaction.

Answer 1

Answer:

Option A:

Zn(s) + Cu^(2+) (aq) → Cu(s) + Zn^(2+)(aq)

Explanation:

The half reactions given are:

Zn(s) → Zn^(2+)(aq) + 2e^(-)

Cu^(2+) (aq) + 2e^(-) → Cu(s)

From the given half reactions, we can see that in the first one, Zn undergoes oxidation to produce Zn^(2+).

While in the second half reaction, Cu^(2+) is reduced to Cu.

Thus, for the overall reaction, we will add both half reactions to get;

Zn(s) + Cu^(2+) (aq) + 2e^(-) → Cu(s) + Zn^(2+)(aq) + 2e^(-)

2e^(-) will cancel out to give us;

Zn(s) + Cu^(2+) (aq) → Cu(s) + Zn^(2+)(aq)