Justify with the help of an example that displacement reaction is also a redox reaction

A displacement reaction is a type of redox reaction where an element displaces another element in a compound. This is because one element gets reduced (gains electrons) while the other gets oxidized (loses electrons).

Let's take the example of the reaction between zinc and copper sulfate:

Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

In this reaction, zinc displaces copper from copper sulfate, resulting in zinc sulfate and copper.

If we break this reaction down:

Zinc starts as Zn and becomes Zn2+ (in ZnSO4), losing 2 electrons in the process. This is oxidation (loss of electrons).

Cu2+ (in CuSO4) becomes Cu, gaining 2 electrons in the process. This is reduction (gain of electrons).

So, in this displacement reaction, zinc is oxidized and copper is reduced, making it a redox reaction.