Final answer:
The net ionic equation for the reaction between copper and nitric acid, after eliminating the spectator ions, is Cu (s) + 4H+ (aq) → Cu2+ (aq) + 2NO2 (g) + 2H2O (l).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for the net ionic equation of the reaction between solid copper and nitric acid. The net ionic equation is a simplified version of the full chemical equation that highlights the species that actually change during the reaction.
To write the net ionic equation, we need to identify the reactants and products, write the correct formulas for compounds and elements, and cancel out spectator ions which do not participate in the reaction.
Starting with the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between solid copper and nitric acid:
- Cu (s) + 4HNO3 (aq) → Cu(NO3)2 (aq) + 2NO2 (g) + 2H2O (l)
Next, we split this equation into half-reactions:
- Oxidation: Cu (s) → Cu2+ (aq) + 2e-
- Reduction: 4H+ (aq) + NO3- (aq) + 3e- → NO2 (g) + 2H2O (l)
The spectator ions here are the nitrate ions NO3- in the reduction half-reaction. These are present on both sides of the full chemical equation and thus, they can be canceled out to generate the net ionic equation:
Cu (s) + 4H+ (aq) → Cu2+ (aq) + 2NO2 (g) + 2H2O (l)