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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: musicgrl00 on December 10, 2007, 10:16:13 PM

Title: Why doesn't copper react with HCl?
Post by: musicgrl00 on December 10, 2007, 10:16:13 PM

Why doesn't copper react with HCl?

Title: Re: Why doesn't copper react with HCl?
Post by: lost and found on December 11, 2007, 07:26:46 AM

It has to do with the activity series. Hydrogen is more active than copper, so copper can't replace hydrogen. Hydrogen will replace copper, though.

CuCl2 + H2 --> Cu + 2HCl

MB

Title: Re: Why doesn't copper react with HCl?
Post by: Arkcon on December 11, 2007, 12:51:06 PM

If you're in a position to experiment, add a drop of hydrogen peroxide to the copper in HCl, it will react quickly.  A little googling will provide an explanation.

Title: Re: Why doesn't copper react with HCl?
Post by: AlIXe on December 14, 2007, 04:00:03 AM

In Solution,

Copper is in equilibrium:

Cu <=> Cu2+ + 2electrons

the equilibrium lies far to the left, so when you and react it with HCL solution, (effectively a redox reaction where electons are transfered), it does react. This is because H+ takes away the electrons and the equilibrium moves right.