Question

If copper was used instead of carbon, the reaction would not occur. Explain why

Answer 1

because

If Copper only needs to lose one electron to achieve stability (full g-subshell) howcome it does not react as violently as the alkali metals? ... In the solid phase, copper does not have any unpaired electrons because all the electrons occupy bands instead of measurably discrete orbitals.11-Mar-2015

Answer 2

Answer:

Copper is the only metal apart from precious metals that will not react with water or dilute acids. It will react very slowly with oxygen.