why doesn't copper dissolve in strong acids except nitric acid?

Answer 1

Why is not always easy to answer. Copper is one of the Group 11 (IB) elements, the others being Silver and Gold. None of these are very reactive to most mineral acids.

In terms of these metals ability to react (or not react), the closeness in energy of their single S orbital electron to those of the completed D orbitals is part of the reason.

Answer 2

Copper Dissolved In Nitric Acid

Answer 3

H2SO4 will Dissolve Cu! Its stated as CuSO4! Purge oxygen into your acid while Dissolving, use warmth! besides the reality that, the answer will crystallize if the grams according to liter Cu is larger the then the temp it cools all the way down to, forming "CuSO4 Pentahydrate" occasion, 180g/l Cu @ 70F will style to crystal. Dilute g/L with H20, under ambient temp. Now, in case you wanna turn your Dilute CuSO4 answer into CuCO3 powder slowly upload 50% NaOH to pH 7 and precipitate it out, then dry. so as meaning no longer only will Sulfuric Acid dissolve Cu, you need to use it to offer Copper Sulfate answer, Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate, and technique steps for making Copper Carbonate.

Answer 4

Weak nitric acid react as an acid. However, strong nitric acid does not react like an acid but more like an oxidising agent, ie it is the NO3 group that does the work.

Whereas with metal and acid you normally get metal salt and H2 gas evolved. With HNO3 you get metal salt + NO2 gas given off.

So the Cu is unreactive to the H+ but does react with the NO3 group

Answer 5

and sulfuric
http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/JCEsoft/CCA/CCA3/MAIN/CUNACID/PAGE1.HTM