Question

Write a balanced chemical equation for the corrosion of copper

Answer 1

Answer:

4Cu + O2 = 2Cu2O

Explanation:

when copper reacts with oxygen its gives copper oxide

Answer 2

Answer:

Corrosion  is defined as the natural process that causes the transformation of pure metals to undesirable substances when they react with substances like water or air. This reaction causes damage and disintegration of the metal starting from the portion of the metal exposed to the environment and spreading to the entire bulk of the metal.

When copper metal is exposed to the environment it reacts with the oxygen in the atmosphere to form copper (I) oxide which is red in colour.

2Cu(s) + ½ O2(g) → Cu2O(s)

Cu2O further gets oxidised to form CuO which is black in colour.

Cu2O(s) + ½ O2(g) → 2CuO(s)

This CuO reacts with CO2, SO3 and H2O (present in the atmosphere to form Cu2(OH)2(s) (Malachite) which is blue in colour and Cu4SO4(OH)6(s) (Brochantite) which is green in colour.

This is why we observe copper turning bluish-green in colour.

A typical example of this is the colour of the statue of liberty which has the copper coating on it turning blue-green in colour.