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-   -   Half Equations disconcerning immediate electron transfer (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=58666)

  • Jan 30, 2007, 11:49 AM
    Evil dead
    Half Equations disconcerning immediate electron transfer
    I'm stuck on this:

    Cu + HNO3 ------> CuOH + NO2

    Here's my attempt:

    Copper is oxidised: Cu ---> Cu2+ + 2OH-
    Nitric Acid is reduced: HNO3 ---> NO2 + O2-

    It looks crap I know..
  • Jan 30, 2007, 12:21 PM
    Evil dead
    Here's what I did again:

    Cu ---> Cu2+ + 2OH- + 2e-
    HNO3 ---> NO2+ + HO-

    Any better?
  • Jan 31, 2007, 02:20 PM
    Evil dead
    here's my solution:

    Cu + HNO3 ---> CuOH + NO2
    CU + 2HNO3 ---> Cu(OH)2 + 2NO2
    Cu ---> Cu2+ + 2e- : Oxidation
    2OH- + 2e- ---> (OH)2 : Reduction

    But what happens to the NO3/NO2? Do I have to include that in the half equation? If so, how do I do it?:confused:
  • Feb 21, 2007, 09:28 AM
    Evil dead
    Cu: current oxidation state of 0. However as an ion it has an ox-state of +2
    HNO3: current oxidation state of 0 (H:+1, NO3:-1).

    The reaction goes as planned: Acid + Metal ----> Metal Salt + Hydrogen Gas.

    Hydrogen gas = H2, so the equation is not balanced.

    Chemical equation now = Cu (s) + 2HNO3 (aq) ----> CuNO3 (aq) + H2 (g)

    Therefore the ionic equation must be:

    Cu2+2 + 2NO3-2 -----> CuNO3

    I ANSWERED MY QUESTION MOTHERFAC*ERS!!
  • Feb 21, 2007, 09:56 AM
    Capuchin
    Hey evil dead sorry I didn't answer, I haven't done half equations for many years :)
  • Feb 21, 2007, 10:00 AM
    Evil dead
    Lol no problem. I want to become a Chemical Engineer or some sort of Physicist, so I had to make sure this question be answered.

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