Answer:
E° value of Zn2+/Zn
= ?0.76 V is less than that of Cu2+/Cu = +0.34V. This means that
zinc is a stronger reducing agent than copper and can easily displace Cu from
the solution of Cu2+ ions.
Zn(s) + Cu2+
(aq) 
Zn2+
(aq) + Cu(s)
On the other hand,
to displace zinc from the solution of Zn2+ ions, we need a stronger
reducing agent like Ca, Mg or Al. But all these metals react with water to
evolve hydrogen gas. Thus, these metals cannot be used for this purpose. Hence
zinc cannot be extracted by hydrometallurgy.
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