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Topic: Why doesn't copper react with HCl?  (Read 30909 times)

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Offline musicgrl00

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Why doesn't copper react with HCl?
« on: December 10, 2007, 10:16:13 PM »
Why doesn't copper react with HCl?

Offline lost and found

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Re: Why doesn't copper react with HCl?
« Reply #1 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

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Offline Arkcon

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Re: Why doesn't copper react with HCl?
« Reply #2 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.
Hey, I'm not judging.  I just like to shoot straight.  I'm a man of science.

Offline AlIXe

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Re: Why doesn't copper react with HCl?
« Reply #3 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.

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