Question

Complete and balance the following equations:

$\mathrm{Cu}+\mathrm{HCl}(\mathrm{dil}.)\to$

Answer 1

• Reactivity series (metals) is the arrangement of a set of metals considering their reactivity. At the top, highly reactive metals are placed and at the bottom, least reactive metals are placed.
• Copper ($\mathbf{Cu}$) is a less reactive metal. Hydrogen is placed above Copper in the reactivity series.
• So, Copper cannot replace Hydrogen from the Hydrogen chloride ($\mathbf{HCl}$) to form Cuprous (II) chloride (${\mathbf{CuCl}}_{\mathbf{2}}$).
• Therefore, the reaction of Copper with dilute Hydrochloric acid will not occur.
• Hence, $\mathrm{Cu}\left(\text{s}\right)+\mathrm{HCl}(\mathrm{dil}.)\to \mathrm{No}\mathrm{reaction}$