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Copper dissolves in dilute HNO3 but not in dilute HCl. Why? Explain.[Given E°(H+/H2) = 0.0V, E°(NO3-/NO) = -044V and E°(Ni2+/Ni) = +0.97V] |
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Answer» Electrode potential of Cu2+/Cu is higher than H+/H2 and so H+ ions cannot oxidize Cu to Cu2+ ions and therefore copper does not dissolve in dilute HCl. On the other hand, the electrode potential of NO3- ion i.e., NO3-/NO electrode is higher than that of copper electrode and hence it can oxidize Cu to Cu2+ ion; so copper dissolve in dilute HNO3. Thus copper dissolved in dilute HNO3 due to oxidation of Cu by NO3- ions and not by H+ ions. |
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