- Joined
- Aug 13, 2006
- Messages
- 1,226
- Reaction score
- 14
934. Nitric acid dissolves silver to produce NO gas instead of hydrogen gas. A copper wire is placed in a nitric acid solution (HNO3). Is a gas produced?
A. No, because W ions cannot oxidize copper.
B. No, because silver is more easily oxidized than
copper.
C. Yes, nitrate ions oxidize copper producing NO gas.
D. Yes, nitrate ions oxidize copper producing H2 gas.
The answer is C but I chose D. I understand that NO3- is probably a better oxidizing agent than H+, but couldn't Cu be oxidized by 2H+ too? Even though the reduction potential of 2H+ is E=0.00V, it is higher than the oxidation potential of Cu(s) which is -0.034. Thus, isn't it possible for 2H+ to oxidize Cu(s) and produce H2 gas since the reduction potential is higher than the oxidation potential. Therefore, shouldn't 2H+ be able to force Cu(s) to be oxidized.
This is EK's explanation: "934. C is correct. Copper is more easily oxidized than silver, so, since nitric acid oxidizes silver, it will oxidize copper. The gas
produced will be NO because W ions will not oxidize copper."
I appreciate your help understanding this. 🙂
A. No, because W ions cannot oxidize copper.
B. No, because silver is more easily oxidized than
copper.
C. Yes, nitrate ions oxidize copper producing NO gas.
D. Yes, nitrate ions oxidize copper producing H2 gas.
The answer is C but I chose D. I understand that NO3- is probably a better oxidizing agent than H+, but couldn't Cu be oxidized by 2H+ too? Even though the reduction potential of 2H+ is E=0.00V, it is higher than the oxidation potential of Cu(s) which is -0.034. Thus, isn't it possible for 2H+ to oxidize Cu(s) and produce H2 gas since the reduction potential is higher than the oxidation potential. Therefore, shouldn't 2H+ be able to force Cu(s) to be oxidized.
This is EK's explanation: "934. C is correct. Copper is more easily oxidized than silver, so, since nitric acid oxidizes silver, it will oxidize copper. The gas
produced will be NO because W ions will not oxidize copper."
I appreciate your help understanding this. 🙂
