CuS (s) + 2 HNO₃ (aq) → Cu (s) + 2 NO (g) + H₂SO₄ (aq)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

CuS is an oxidizing agent, CuS is a reducing agent, HNO₃ is an oxidizing agent.

Reactants:

• CuS – Copper sulfide
  • Other names: Copper monosulfide , Covellite , Copper(II) sulfide , Cupric sulfide
  • Appearance: Black powder or lumps
• HNO₃ – Nitric acid
  • Other names: Aqua fortis , Spirit of niter , Eau forte ... show moreHydrogen nitrate , Acidum nitricum , Nitric acid (> 70% in water) , Fuming nitric acid , Engravers acid , HONO2 , Red fuming nitric acid , RFNA , White fuming nitric acid (WFNA) show less
  • 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.]

Products:

• Cu
  • Names: Copper , Copper (dusts and mists, as Cu) , Cu ... show moreCU-7 , Tatum-T , Paragard T 380A , Element 29 , Cuprum , Copper metal dusts , Copper metal fumes show less
  • Appearance: Solid in various forms. turns green on exposure to moist air ; Reddish, lustrous, malleable, odorless solid.
• NO – Nitrogen monoxide , Oxidonitrogen(•) (additive)
  • Other names: Nitric oxide , Nitrogen(II) oxide , Nitric oxide (radical) ... show moreMononitrogen monoxide , (.)NO , EDRF , Nitrogen monooxide , [NO] , Oxido de nitrogeno(ii) , NO(.) , Oxido nitrico , Stickstoff(ii)-oxid , NO , Oxyde azotique , Oxyde nitrique , Stickstoffmonoxid , Nitrosyl , (NO)(.) , Monoxido de nitrogeno , Endothelium-derived relaxing factor , Nitroxide radical , Nitroxyl , Nitrosyl radical , Hydroxyamine , Nitrogen oxide , Nitrogen protoxide , Nitrosyl hydride , Nitric Oxide show less
  • Appearance: Colourless gas ; Colourless compressed gas ; Colorless gas. [Note: Shipped as a nonliquefied compressed gas.]
• H₂SO₄ – Sulfuric acid
  • Other names: Oil of vitriol , Sulfuric acid, concentrated (> 51% and < 100%) , H2SO4 ... show moreSulphuric acid , Battery acid , Hydrogen sulfate , [SO2(OH)2] , [S(OH)2O2] , Sulfuric acid (aqueous) show less
  • Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid ; Odourless colourless oily hygroscopic liquid ; Colorless to dark-brown, oily, odorless liquid. [Note: Pure compound is a solid below 51°F. Often used in an aqueous solution.]