Question

Explain why copper metal reacts with nitric acid but does not react with hydrochloric acid​

Answer 1

Copper metal reacts with nitric acid but does not react with hydrochloric acid due to the difference in reactivity between the two acids. Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent, while hydrochloric acid is a weaker acid.

Step-by-step explanation:

Copper metal reacts with nitric acid but does not react with hydrochloric acid due to the difference in reactivity between the two acids. Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent, meaning it readily donates oxygen atoms or accepts electrons from other substances. Copper is less reactive compared to hydrogen, so when it reacts with nitric acid, it displaces hydrogen from the acid, resulting in the formation of copper (II) nitrate, nitrogen dioxide, and water.

On the other hand, hydrochloric acid is a weaker acid and does not have strong oxidizing properties like nitric acid. Therefore, copper does not react with hydrochloric acid. Instead, metals like zinc or magnesium, which are more reactive, can react with hydrochloric acid to form hydrogen gas and the corresponding metal chloride.

Answer 2

Copper is an unreactive metal and doesn't react in normal circumstances with dilute acids. However, it does react with nitric acid. ... Nitric acid is an oxidizing agent and the reaction is not the usual acid + metal reaction. The products are oxides of nitrogen instead of hydrogen

Hope it helps!! :)