3 Cu (s) + 2 HNO3 (aq) + 3 H2SO4 (aq) + 11 H2O (l) → 3 CuSO4*5H2O (aq) + 2 NO (g)
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
3 Cu0 - 6 e- → 3 CuII (oxidation)
2 NV + 6 e- → 2 NII (reduction)
Cu is a reducing agent, HNO3 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
- 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.]
- H2SO4 – Sulfuric acid
- H2O – Water, oxidane
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