What is the reduction half-reaction for the reaction of copper(II) ions with zin
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the reduction half-reaction for the reaction of copper(II) ions with zinc?
Cu^2+ + 2e^- → Cu
Zn → Zn^2+ + 2e^-
Cu → Cu^2+ + 2e^-
Zn^2+ + 2e^- → Zn
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the reduction half-reaction for the reaction of copper(II) ions with zinc?
Step 1: Identify the reactants in the reaction. We have copper(II) ions (Cu^2+) and zinc (Zn).
Step 2: Understand that a reduction half-reaction involves gaining electrons.
Step 3: Determine how many electrons copper(II) ions need to gain to become neutral copper (Cu). Since Cu^2+ has a +2 charge, it needs to gain 2 electrons.
Step 4: Write the reduction half-reaction by showing the copper(II) ions gaining 2 electrons: Cu^2+ + 2e^- → Cu.
Step 5: Confirm that the half-reaction is balanced in terms of charge and mass.