Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Copper has , and . Zinc has , and . Find the energy to turn one mole of each solid metal into gaseous ions, and the difference.
The nuclear charge rises by one at each step of a series, but a new electron screens the electrons by about , so rises slowly. Metal bonds are strong where many d electrons can bond. Enthalpy of atomisation, , is the energy to turn one mole of solid metal into gaseous atoms. The energy to reach is , and hydration returns part of it.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Plan. The energy is .
Step 1. Copper. .
Step 2. Zinc. .
Step 3. Difference. .
Answer: for copper, for zinc, and more for copper.
What it means. Hydration of cannot repay the cost for copper, so is positive. The cost for zinc is lower, so zinc has a negative .
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