Question

Nitric acid reacts with insoluble copper(II) oxide to form soluble copper(II) nitrate, Cu(NO₃)₂, a compound that has been used to prevent the growth of algae in swimming pools. Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of an aqueous solution of HNO₃ with CuO.

a) 2HNO₃ + CuO → Cu(NO₃)₂ + H₂O
b) HNO₃ + CuO → Cu(NO₃)₂ + H₂O
c) 3HNO₃ + CuO → Cu(NO₃)₂ + 2H₂O
d) HNO₃ + CuO → Cu(NO₃)₂ + H

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of nitric acid with copper(II) oxide to form copper(II) nitrate is 2HNO₃ + CuO → Cu(NO₃)₂ + H₂O (Option A).

Step-by-step explanation:

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of an aqueous solution of HNO₃ with CuO is 2HNO₃ + CuO → Cu(NO₃)₂ + H₂O. This represents a stoichiometric reaction where nitric acid reacts with copper(II) oxide to form soluble copper(II) nitrate, which is used to inhibit algae growth in swimming pools, and water as a byproduct.

To balance the chemical equation, we ensure that the number of atoms for each element on the reactant side is equal to the number on the product side. In this reaction, two molecules of nitric acid provide the necessary nitrate ions to form one molecule of copper(II) nitrate and also yield one molecule of water (H₂O).

Thus, the correct option is A.