Question:

I need help with this experiment { Cu(s) 2H (aq) ----> Cu2 (aq) H2(g)

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it is a chemitry experiment and i need to understand what it wants

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  1. WOW!!!!  If you actually got this to happen there is a Nobel prize in your future.  Seriously ... the following reaction does not occur.

    Cu(s) + 2H+ ----> Cu2+ +  H2(g)   ????

    instead, you get the following:

    Cu(s) + 2H+ ----> No Reaction

    This reaction will not occur without the aid of some electricity to drive the reaction.  You see, copper metal will not spontaneously react with hydrogen ions in aqueous solution to liberate hydrogen gas and make copper (II) ions.

    You may have encountered the "activity series", which is a vertical listing of metals based on their reduction potentials.  A metal will replace an ion below it, but not above it.  Copper metal is below hydrogen and therefore copper metal cannot replace hydrogen ions to liberate hydrogen gas.

    Therefore the reaction, as you have written it, cannot occur spontaneously.

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