Paper 2 · Reactions of copper(II) oxide with acid; displacement and thermal decomposition
A student added black copper(II) oxide powder to nitric acid, forming a blue solution P containing copper(II) ions. Which other substance is present in solution P?
ACopper(II) nitrate
BCopper(II) oxide
CCopper(II) sulfate
DCopper(II) hydroxide
Explanation: Copper(II) oxide reacts with nitric acid to form copper(II) nitrate and water: CuO + 2HNO3 -> Cu(NO3)2 + H2O. The blue solution therefore contains copper(II) nitrate (dissociated into copper(II) ions and nitrate ions).
Derived from ZIMSEC Chemistry 4024/2 Paper 2 Theory, November 2015, Q1
