Question

Why cu reacts with HNO3?
Why Copper react with HNO3 or nitric acid even if copper is below hydrogen in reactivity series?
So copper should not react with nitric acid and sulphuric acid too as it wont be able to displace hydrogen from it

But copper does react with nitric acid and sulphuric acid. how???

Answer 1

it is not a displacement reaction but it is simple oxidation & reduction.
Cu  + 4HNO3  ----------------->    Cu(NO3)2  + 2NO2  + 2H2O
0          +5                              +2  +5           +4  (change in oxidation no. of Cu & HNO3)
Cu    +  2H2SO4    -------------------->  CuSO4    +  SO2  +  2H2O
0               +6                                +2  +6        +4 (change in oxidation no. in Cu & H2SO4)
so from above we can say that Cu dissolve in HNO3 & H2SO4.

Answer 2

cu reacts with hno3 because of oxidation redox reaction in which hydrogen is added or reduced from the reaction and in this reaction hydrogen is released