why does not this liberate h2
2006-09-02 08:00:36 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Simply because H2 is a better reducing agent than Cu. That's why we could use H2 to replace Cu from its oxides.
Cu and H2O do react with each other, but very slowly. In case of steam, hydrated copper oxides [greenish solid] will form. It's not the water that reacts with Cu but oxygen in the air, with a little help of the steam, the heat. When copper get heat up in the presence of air, it will be oxidized to copper oxides [black] and hydrated by the water and turns green.
2006-09-02 12:26:13 · answer #1 · answered by nickyTheKnight 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cu+H2O=Cu(OH)2+H2
2006-09-02 12:54:39 · answer #2 · answered by fatma m 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Leakage in electrode potential of protons. Take Nernst equation, standart potentials and work out the concentration of H+ to begin liberating H2. Water don't have such.
2006-09-02 08:49:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this reaction :
Cu + H2O ---> CuO + H2
DOES take place if you use incandescente Cu. take some copper, heat it until it gets red and throw water on it...you'll see that it gets covered with CuO. The reaction however is not spontaneous at room temperature
2006-09-03 01:32:44 · answer #4 · answered by andreicnx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
copper reactivity with water is very low
drop a penny in water and nothing happens quick
over a long long time you might form tiny amounts of cupric oxide (more likely copper chloride from contaminants in water) and this would liberate tiny amount of H2
2006-09-02 08:05:16 · answer #5 · answered by enginerd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋