---
title: "A piece of solid zinc is placed into a beaker containing an aqueous solution of copper(II) sulfate. A spontaneous chemical change occurs, producing solid copper and aqueous zinc sulfate according to the following equation:  \\[ \\text{Zn}(s) + \\text{CuSO}_4(aq) \\rightarrow \\text{ZnSO}_4(aq) + \\text{Cu}(s) \\]  Which of the following correctly identifies the species that is oxidized and the oxidizing agent in this reaction?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119932/"
date_modified: "2026-08-21T08:18:28+00:00"
---

# A piece of solid zinc is placed into a beaker containing an aqueous solution of copper(II) sulfate. A spontaneous chemical change occurs, producing solid copper and aqueous zinc sulfate according to the following equation:

\[ \text{Zn}(s) + \text{CuSO}_4(aq) \rightarrow \text{ZnSO}_4(aq) + \text{Cu}(s) \]

Which of the following correctly identifies the species that is oxidized and the oxidizing agent in this reaction?

A piece of solid zinc is placed into a beaker containing an aqueous solution of copper(II) sulfate. A spontaneous chemical change occurs, producing solid copper and aqueous zinc sulfate according to the following equation:

\[ \text{Zn}(s) + \text{CuSO}_4(aq) \rightarrow \text{ZnSO}_4(aq) + \text{Cu}(s) \]

Which of the following correctly identifies the species that is oxidized and the oxidizing agent in this reaction?

- **A.** \(\text{Cu}^{2+}(aq)\) is oxidized, and \(\text{Zn}(s)\) is the oxidizing agent.
- **B.** \(\text{Zn}(s)\) is oxidized, and \(\text{Zn}(s)\) is the oxidizing agent.
- **C.** \(\text{Zn}^{2+}(aq)\) is oxidized, and \(\text{Cu}(s)\) is the oxidizing agent.
- **D.** \(\text{Zn}(s)\) is oxidized, and \(\text{Cu}^{2+}(aq)\) is the oxidizing agent.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119932/*