Copper sulfate is a blue solid that is used to control algae growth. Solutions of copper sulfate that come in contact with the surface of galvanized (zinc-plated) steel pails undergo the following reaction that forms copper metal on the zinc surface. How many grams of zinc would react with 454 g (1 lb) of copper sulfate (160 g/mol) ?
CuSO₄(aq) + Zn(s) $\rightarrow$ Cu(s) + ZnSO₄(aq)

Question

Copper sulfate is a blue solid that is used to control algae growth. Solutions of copper sulfate that come in contact with the surface of galvanized (zinc-plated) steel pails undergo the following reaction that forms copper metal on the zinc surface. How many grams of zinc would react with 454 g (1 lb) of copper sulfate (160 g/mol) ?
CuSO₄(aq) + Zn(s)

\rightarrow

Cu(s) + ZnSO₄(aq)

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

From the balanced equation, it can be seen that 1 mole of copper sulfate reacts with 1 mole of zinc. The given amount of copper sulfate is 454 g, which is equal to 2.84 moles (454 g / 160 g/mol). Therefore, 2.84 moles of zinc is required to react with this amount of copper sulfate. This is equal to 171.5 g of zinc (2.84 moles x 63.5 g/mol). However, the question is asking for the mass of zinc that would react, which is different from the amount required. From the equation, it can be seen that 1 mole of zinc produces 1 mole of copper. Therefore, the amount of zinc that would react is also 2.84 moles, which is equal to 180.2 g (2.84 moles x 63.5 g/mol). However, this is the amount of zinc that is consumed in the reaction. To find the amount of zinc that actually reacts to form copper, we need to find the amount of copper that is produced. From the equation, it can be seen that 1 mole of zinc produces 1 mole of copper. Therefore, the amount of copper produced is also 2.84 moles, which is equal to 454 g (2.84 moles x 160 g/mol). Therefore, the correct answer is B) 186 g, which is the amount of zinc that reacts with the copper sulfate to form 186 g of copper.

Copper Sulfate Is a Blue Solid That Is Used to Control