A piece of copper metal is placed in a beaker containing 1 M ZnSO4 solution. What will be observed?

The copper dissolves and zinc metal is deposited
No reaction occurs
The copper dissolves while oxygen gas is evolved
The copper dissolves while hydrogen gas is evolved

Correct answer: No reaction occurs

Solution

Copper (E0 = +0.34 V) is less reactive than zinc (E0 = -0.76 V), so copper cannot displace Zn2+ from solution and no reaction takes place.

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