When copper (Cu) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl). What will happen?

(A) React vigorously

(B) No reaction

(C) React modestly

(D) React slowly

When copper (Cu) comes into contact with hydrochloric acid (HCl), the expected outcome is that there will be no reaction. So, the correct answer to your question is (B) No reaction. Let’s delve into why this is the case.

Chemical Properties of Copper

Copper is a transition metal known for its excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion. One of its notable characteristics is its position in the reactivity series of metals. The reactivity series ranks metals based on their ability to displace other metals from solutions of their ions. Copper is relatively low on this list, which indicates that it does not react readily with acids.

Hydrochloric Acid and Its Behavior

Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that can react with many metals, particularly those that are higher in the reactivity series, such as zinc or magnesium. When these metals are placed in hydrochloric acid, they displace hydrogen ions from the acid, resulting in the release of hydrogen gas and the formation of metal chlorides.

Why No Reaction Occurs

In the case of copper, it does not have the ability to displace hydrogen from hydrochloric acid. The reaction can be summarized as follows:

• Reactivity Series Position: Copper is below hydrogen in the reactivity series.
• Reaction Equation: If a reaction were to occur, it would look like this: Cu + 2HCl → CuCl2 + H2. However, this does not happen with copper.

Real-World Analogy

Think of the reactivity series like a hierarchy in a company. The higher up you are, the more authority you have. In this analogy, hydrogen is like a manager, and copper is an employee who cannot take the manager's place. Since copper cannot displace hydrogen, it simply remains unreacted when introduced to hydrochloric acid.

Conclusion

To sum up, when copper is mixed with hydrochloric acid, there is no observable reaction. This is due to copper's low reactivity compared to hydrogen ions present in the acid. Therefore, the answer to your question is (B) No reaction. Understanding these principles helps clarify why certain metals behave differently in chemical reactions.