Answer: Oxidised.
- A Reduced
- B Neither oxidised nor reduced
- C Oxidised
- D Acting as an oxidising agent
Correct answer: C. Oxidised
Explanation: Zinc changes from oxidation state 0 to +2 in ZnSO₄; it loses electrons and is oxidised. Zinc is the reducing agent.
Electron transfer in a redox reaction: zinc loses electrons (oxidised, acts as reducing agent) and copper(II) ions gain those same electrons (reduced, acts as oxidising agent).
Concept context
Master electron transfer in chemistry: assign oxidation states, balance half-reactions, identify oxidising and reducing agents, and connect redox to everyday reactions.