Q. How to Replace Metals from their Salts:

Ans.

If zinc is added to a solution of copper (II) sulfate, it dissolves.

A reddish-brown deposit of metallic copper appears, and the blue solution becomes colorless. The blue Cu²⁺ ions are replaced by the colorless Zn²⁺ ions. Zinc is said to replace copper from copper's salt (i.e., copper (II) sulfate ).

Zinc is higher in the activity series than copper. Therefore, the reaction is just as we would expect since a metal higher in the activity series shows a greater readiness to lose electrons and become oxidized.

The above reaction is summarized as follows:

Zn + Cu₂+ -> Zn²⁺ + Cu