[Mccora]

Is the reaction for copper sulphate pentahydrate and zinc written as:

CuSO₄5H₂O + Zn -> ZnSO₄ + Cu + 5H₂O

Or would you leave the water out of the reaction and write:

CuSO₄ + Zn -> ZnSO₄ + Cu

I'm just wondering because every equation for the reaction I see on Google for the experiment doesn't include H₂O in the equation.

[Borek]

Depends on what you are trying to express or calculate. Sometimes it is easier to use one equation, sometimes the other, sometimes the net ionic will be the best choice. In many ways they all refer to the same process, just put emphasis on different aspects.