what type of reaction is Cu(s) + 4HNO3(aq) → Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2NO2(g) + 2H2O(l)?
redox, double displacement, single displacement, etc. I'm just not sure how to classify this. I don't want to know just what type of reaction it is, but why as well so I understand. thanks
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Cu + 4 HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + 2 NO2 + 2 H2O
The following reaction is similar to single replacement.
Cu + 4 HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2
But H2 is not one of the products.
Let’s determine the oxidation number of N in NO3- and in NO2.
N + -6 = -1, N = +5
N + -4 = 0, N = +4
The oxidation number of N decreased from +5 to +4.
The oxidation number of Cu increased from 0 to +2.
This is a redox reaction in an acidic solution. When the products of a reaction have one element in two different compounds, the reaction is probably a redox reaction.