Question

Give a complete explanation on the reaction of copper oxide with dilute hydrochloric acid which is formed.and why?

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation: Copper does not react with HCl acid, but copper oxide does react. A metal-acid reaction is always a redox reaction. Since copper has a higher reduction potential than hydrogen, it does not react with non-oxidising acids like HCl or dil.H2SO4.

But metal oxides are basic substances and so they generally react with acids forming respective salts and water. Such acid-base type reactions (neutralisation) are non-redox in nature.

Copper oxide is a weak base, and it easily reacts with HCl forming soluble copper(II) chloride and water.

CuO(s) + 2HCl(aq) = CuCl2(aq) + H2O(l)