Given the reaction that occurs in an electrochemical cell: zn(s) + cuso4(aq) znso4(aq) + cu(s) during this reaction, the oxidation number of zn changes from

• billydavis449: 0 to +2 is the answer to this question
• aristeus:

  Answer : The correct answer is oxidation number of Zn changes from 0 to +2.

  Oxidation number :

  It is number given to an element when it undergoes oxidation by loosing electrons . Oxidation number is equal to number of electrons donated . It is generally represented as charge .

  Oxidation number of any element in a compound can be calculated as :

  (Total number of positive charge) + (total number of negative charge) = total charge on compound

  Where : Total positive charge = No. of atom or polyatomic molecule * positive charge on it

  Total negative charge = No. of atom or polyatomic molecule * negative charge on it

  Total charge on compound = Charge lying on top of compound .

  Following steps can be used to find change in oxidation number of Zn :

  Step 1 ) : To find oxidation number of Zn ( reactant side ) :

  On reactant side Zn is present in solid state or its elemental state . It is not attached to any other atom , hence it is neutral and isolated atom. So oxidation number on Zn(s) is 0 .

  Step 2: To find oxidation number of Zn in ZnSO₄ (aq)

  ZnSO₄(aq) is ionic compound compound . It has two ions in it, Zn and SO₄ . Also it is a neutral compound means it has zero charge on it .

  SO₄ is sulfate which has -2 charge or oxidation number on it (image attached )and there is one molecule of SO₄ ion . There is one atom of Zn which has unknown charge or oxidation number (x) .

  To calculate oxidation number on Zn ion , plug values in above formula :

  (No of Zn atom * charge on it ) + (No of SO₄ molecule * charge on it ) = Total charge on ZnSO₄

  ( 1* charge on Zn ) + ( 1* -2 ) = 0

  Charge on Zn + (-2) = 0

  Charge on Zn = +2

  On reactant side Zn(s) has Zero charge and on product side Zn in ZnSO₄(aq) has +2 charge .

  Hence the charge in oxidation number of Zn is from 0 to +2 .