What are the products from the following single replacement reaction Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq)

The products from the single replacement reaction Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) are zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and copper metal (Cu), giving the balanced equation: Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s). In this reaction, zinc metal displaces copper from copper sulfate solution because zinc is more reactive than copper according to the metal activity series. The reaction proceeds as zinc atoms lose electrons (are oxidized) to form Zn2+ ions, while Cu2+ ions gain electrons (are reduced) to form solid copper metal.

This reaction is visually dramatic and commonly demonstrated in chemistry classrooms: when a zinc strip is placed in a blue copper sulfate solution, the zinc becomes coated with reddish-brown copper metal, and the blue color of the solution gradually fades as Cu2+ ions are replaced by colorless Zn2+ ions. The reaction is spontaneous and exothermic, releasing heat as it proceeds. This type of single replacement reaction has practical applications in metal recovery processes, battery technology, and understanding corrosion mechanisms. The driving force is the difference in reactivity—zinc's greater tendency to lose electrons and form ions compared to copper makes this reaction thermodynamically favorable and allows zinc to "kick out" copper from the compound.