What element is oxidized in the following reaction? Zn + CuSO4 yields ZnSO4 + Cu

To determine which element is being oxidized, this is one approach that can be used.

Note: oxidation numbers are very similar to ionic charges, or charges that form as metals and nonmetals, undergo chemical bonding.

1) To note down the oxidation numbers for all elements/atoms in the substances, and then observe that if it is increasing then it is being oxidized, if it is reducing then it would be being reduced.

Zn + CuSO4 - > ZnSO4 + Cu

O + 2 - 2 - > + 2 - 2 0

Ignore the - 2 as these are spectator ions that do not undergo the change, and are not part of the main reaction occurring.

Here we can see that Zn goes from 0 to + 2, thus it would be oxidized, while Cu goes from + 2 to 0, thus is reduced.

Zn → Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻

zinc is oxidized