Question

Why copper gives nitrogen dioxide gas when reacts with dilute nitric acid while other metals such as zinc gives hydrogen gas when reacts with dilute nitric acid?

( A )  Because copper is less reactive than nitric acid

( B )  Because copper is more reactive than zinc

( C )  Because copper does not produce hydrogen gas

( D )  Hydrogen gas produced in this reaction oxidized to water by nitric acid and nitric acid reduced to nitrogen dioxide gas​

Answer 1

Hydrogen gas produced in this reaction oxidized to water by nitric acid and nitric acid reduced to nitrogen dioxide gas

Explanation:

When copper reacts with dilute nitric acid; first hydrogen gas is formed. But as nitric acid is very strong oxidizing agent; this oxidized hydrogen produced into water. Since; in every reaction oxidation and reduction take place simultaneously; thus nitric acid reduced into nitrogen dioxide gas. >

Cu+ 4HNO3 ----> Cu(NO3)2 + H2O + 2NO2

While when zinc metal reacts with dilute nitric acid; produced hydrogen gas is not oxidized with nitric acid. So; zinc metal gives hydrogen gas and copper gives nitrogen dioxide gas when react with dilute nitric acid.

Zn + 2HNO3 ------> Zn(NO3)2 +H2

Answer 2

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Your answer is OPTION D. Hydrogen gas produced in this reaction oxidized to water by nitric acid and nitric acid reduced to nitrogen dioxide gas