This chemistry question involves key chemical concepts and calculations. The detailed solution below walks through each step, from identifying the reaction type to computing the final answer.
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a) A polystyrene cup was used instead of a glass beaker because polystyrene is a good thermal insulator. This minimizes heat loss to the surroundings, ensuring that the measured temperature change is as accurate as possible for determining the heat of reaction. b) The reaction is between zinc metal and copper (II) sulfate solution. Step 1: Write the balanced molecular equation. Zn(s) + CuSO_4(aq) → ZnSO_4(aq) + Cu(s) Step 2: Write the full ionic equation by dissociating aqueous ionic compounds. Zn(s) + Cu^2+(aq) + SO_4^2-(aq) → Zn^2+(aq) + SO_4^2-(aq) + Cu(s) Step 3: Identify and cancel out spectator ions (ions that appear unchanged on both sides). In this case, SO_4^2-(aq) is the spectator ion. Step 4: Write the net ionic equation. Zn(s) + Cu^2+(aq) → Zn^2+(aq) + Cu(s) Last free one today — make it count tomorrow, or type /upgrade for unlimited.