Which is oxidized in the reaction?

Question

Zn (s) + CuSO₄ (aq) → ZnSO₄ (aq) + Cu (s)

Answer 1

Zn (s) + CuSO₄ (aq) → ZnSO₄ (aq) + Cu (s)

Can be written as:-

Zn ⁰ (s) + Cu²⁺ SO₄^2- (aq) → Zn²⁺ + SO₄^2-(aq) + Cu⁰ (s)

You can see now that Zn ⁰ is changed to Zn²⁺ increase in oxidation number is OXIDATION!

You can see also that Cu²⁺ is changed Cu decrease in oxidation number is REDUCTION!

So....Zn is oxidized, Cu ²⁺ is reduced