Question

What is the property of Nitric Acid which allows it to react with Copper?

Answer 1

• Nitric acid(${\mathrm{HNO}}_3$) is also known as ‘niter’ or ‘aqua fortis’.
• In pure form it is colorless but as it becomes older, it becomes slightly yellowish in color.
• It is highly corrosive and toxic in nature.
• Nitric acid act as a strong oxidizing agent as it oxidizes Copper to Cupric ions$\left({\mathrm{Cu}}^{2+}\right)$.
• It reacts with Copper and does not release Hydrogen gas.
• The reaction is shown below: $\underset{\mathrm{Copper}}{\mathrm{Cu}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Nitric}\mathrm{acid}}{4{\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Copper}\mathrm{Nitrate}}{\mathrm{Cu}{\left({\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Nitrogen}\mathrm{dioxide}}{2{\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\uparrow }$

Therefore, the oxidizing property of nitric acid allows it to react with copper.