Competitive electron transfer: zinc in copper sulphateप्रतिस्पर्धी इलेक्ट्रॉन स्थानांतरण: कॉपर सल्फ़ेट में ज़िंक

NCERT Fig 7.1 · interactive diagram

Parts and their functions

• Zinc rod (ज़िंक छड़) — Zinc loses electrons and goes into solution as Zn²⁺ — zinc is oxidised (it is the reducing agent).
• Copper deposit (कॉपर निक्षेप) — Cu²⁺ ions take 2 electrons each and deposit as reddish copper metal on the rod — Cu²⁺ is reduced.
• Solution (विलयन) — The blue colour of Cu²⁺ fades as Cu²⁺ is used up; Zn²⁺ (colourless) builds up — test it with H₂S/NH₃.
• Electron transfer (इलेक्ट्रॉन स्थानांतरण) — Two half reactions: oxidation Zn → Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻ and reduction Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu. Electrons flow from zinc to Cu²⁺.
• Reverse test (उलटा परीक्षण) — A copper rod in ZnSO₄ shows no change: zinc releases electrons to copper ions, not the other way round. Similarly Cu reduces Ag⁺.

Original diagram drawn by Simple Learning Hub, based on NCERT Fig 7.1. Report a mistake