Question

What is the total number of moles of electrons lost by the copper as it complete reacts with 8 moles of nitric acid?

Answer 1

The total number of moles of electrons lost by copper when it reacts with 8 moles of nitric acid is 32/3 moles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The total number of moles of electrons lost by copper can be determined by considering the stoichiometry of the reaction. The balanced equation for the reaction between copper and nitric acid is:

3Cu + 8HNO3 → 3Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O

From the balanced equation, we can see that for every 3 moles of copper, 12 moles of electrons are lost. So, if 8 moles of nitric acid react, it means that 8/3 moles of copper are consumed, resulting in 32/3 moles of electrons lost by copper.

Answer 2

The reaction of copper Cu with nitric acid HNO3 is given by the balanced equation
3Cu + 8HNO3 ⇔ 3Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O
where the two half-reactions are
3Cu + 6HNO3 → 3Cu(NO3)2 + 6e- + 6H+
2HNO3 + 6e- + 6H+ → 2NO + 4H2O
Considering the oxidation part of the equation to determine the number of moles of electrons
3Cu → 3Cu2+ + 6e-
a total of 6 moles of electrons is therefore lost by the copper in the reaction.