H2 (g) + Cu(NO3)2 (aq) → Cu (s) + 2 HNO3 (aq)
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
CuII + 2 e- → Cu0 (reduction)
2 H0 - 2 e- → 2 HI (oxidation)
Cu(NO3)2 is an oxidizing agent, H2 is a reducing agent.
Reactants:
Products:
- Cu
- HNO3 – Nitric acid
- Other names: Aqua fortis , Spirit of niter , Eau forte
- Appearance: Colorless, yellow or red fuming liquid ; Colourless-to-yellow liquid with pungent odour ; Colorless, yellow, or red, fuming liquid with an acrid, suffocating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution. Fuming nitric acid is concentrated nitric acid that contains dissolved nitrogen dioxide.]