---
title: "A student evaluates zinc granules as a low-cost method for recovering copper from wastewater. The student places clean \\(\\text{Zn(s)}\\) in a solution containing \\(\\text{Cu}^{2+}\\text{(aq)}\\). After several minutes, chemical analysis confirms that \\(\\text{Cu(s)}\\) has formed and \\(\\text{Zn}^{2+}\\text{(aq)}\\) is present. The process is represented by the following equation.  \\[ \\text{Zn(s)}+\\text{Cu}^{2+}\\text{(aq)}\\rightarrow\\text{Zn}^{2+}\\text{(aq)}+\\text{Cu(s)} \\]  Which choice correctly states whether \\(\\text{Zn(s)}\\) displaces \\(\\text{Cu}^{2+}\\text{(aq)}\\) and explains the electron-transfer reason?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119400/"
date_modified: "2026-08-19T12:40:08+00:00"
---

# A student evaluates zinc granules as a low-cost method for recovering copper from wastewater. The student places clean \(\text{Zn(s)}\) in a solution containing \(\text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\). After several minutes, chemical analysis confirms that \(\text{Cu(s)}\) has formed and \(\text{Zn}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\) is present. The process is represented by the following equation.

\[
\text{Zn(s)}+\text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\rightarrow\text{Zn}^{2+}\text{(aq)}+\text{Cu(s)}
\]

Which choice correctly states whether \(\text{Zn(s)}\) displaces \(\text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\) and explains the electron-transfer reason?

A student evaluates zinc granules as a low-cost method for recovering copper from wastewater. The student places clean \(\text{Zn(s)}\) in a solution containing \(\text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\). After several minutes, chemical analysis confirms that \(\text{Cu(s)}\) has formed and \(\text{Zn}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\) is present. The process is represented by the following equation.

\[
\text{Zn(s)}+\text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\rightarrow\text{Zn}^{2+}\text{(aq)}+\text{Cu(s)}
\]

Which choice correctly states whether \(\text{Zn(s)}\) displaces \(\text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\) and explains the electron-transfer reason?

- **A.** It does not. The \(\text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\) ions have already lost electrons and therefore cannot act as an oxidizing agent.
- **B.** It does not. Copper atoms are less readily oxidized than zinc atoms.
- **C.** It does. The \(\text{Zn(s)}\) atoms gain electrons to form \(\text{Zn}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\), while \(\text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\) loses electrons to form \(\text{Cu(s)}\).
- **D.** It does. Zinc atoms are more readily oxidized than copper atoms, so electrons from \(\text{Zn(s)}\) reduce \(\text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)}\) to \(\text{Cu(s)}\).

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119400/*