WHEN H2SO4 REACTS WITH ZINC TO LIBERATE HYDROGEN GAS WE ADD CUSO4 IN THE SOLUTION. WHY CUSO4 IS ADDED?
WHEN H2SO4 REACTS WITH ZINC TO LIBERATE HYDROGEN GAS WE ADD CUSO4 IN THE SOLUTION. WHY CUSO4 IS ADDED?
Dear Student,
CuSO4 acts as a catalyst in the reaction between Zn and H2SO4 to liberate Hydrogen gas. When copper sulfate is added into mixture, zinc displaces copper from the copper sulfate solution and the surface of the zinc goes black. The displaced copper metal then acts as a catalyst for the reaction.
Zinc + Copper sulfate → Zinc sulfate + Copper
Zn(s) + CuSO4 (aq) → ZnSO4(aq)+ Cu(s)
Zinc and copper together in an electrolyte (sulfuric acid) make an electrolytic cell. Zinc, the more reactive metal, acts as anode, copperas cathode, so hydrogen ions are likely to be reduced to hydrogen gas at the copper electrode. There is then quite a rapid generation of hydrogen gas.
Dear Student,
CuSO4 acts as a catalyst in the reaction between Zn and H2SO4 to liberate Hydrogen gas. When copper sulfate is added into mixture, zinc displaces copper from the copper sulfate solution and the surface of the zinc goes black. The displaced copper metal then acts as a catalyst for the reaction.
Zinc + Copper sulfate → Zinc sulfate + Copper
Zn(s) + CuSO4 (aq) → ZnSO4(aq)+ Cu(s)
Zinc and copper together in an electrolyte (sulfuric acid) make an electrolytic cell. Zinc, the more reactive metal, acts as anode, copperas cathode, so hydrogen ions are likely to be reduced to hydrogen gas at the copper electrode. There is then quite a rapid generation of hydrogen gas.
