Question

What are the products of a single-displacement reaction when magnesium metal (Mg) reacts with copper sulfate (CuSO4)?
Responses

MgSO4
uppercase M lowercase g uppercase S O subscript 4 end subscript

Cu + MgSO4
uppercase C lowercase u plus uppercase M lowercase g uppercase S O subscript 4 end subscript

Mg + Cu + S + O2
uppercase M lowercase g plus uppercase C lowercase u plus uppercase S plus uppercase O subscript 2 end subscript

Mg + CuSO4
uppercase M lowercase g plus uppercase C lowercase u uppercase S O subscript 4 end subscript

Answer 1

Correct answer: Cu + MgSO4

Balanced equation: Mg + CuSO4 → MgSO4 + Cu

Explanation: Mg is more reactive than Cu, so Mg is oxidized (Mg → Mg2+ + 2e−) and Cu2+ is reduced (Cu2+ + 2e− → Cu).