Nitric Acid Acts on Copper
Description: The reaction between concentrated nitric acid and copper pennies produces red-brown nitrogen dioxide and dissolves the copper to form a blue solution. The gas may be led into a large container of water to show that it turns the water acidic.
This demonstration is also available on video and JCE “Chemistry Comes Alive!” Vol. 3 CD-Rom.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1983 Vol: 1 Page: 14
Keywords: Nitric acid, Copper, Nitrogen dioxide, Oxidation, Reduction, Redox
Rating: 
Hazard: High
- Produces poisonous gas
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Acute toxicity hazard – oral , dermal
- Inhalation hazard
- Aquatic toxicity hazard
- Serious eye damage
- Electric shock hazard if display is used
- Oxidizer
Effectiveness: Good
- Clearly observable by audience without guidance
- Average connection from demo to course material
- Mild effects are seen by audience
- Time to results is medium
- High reliability
Difficulty: Medium
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Handling of toxic reagents
- Prior training recommended
- Manipulations are simple for most to perform
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Lab coat recommended
- Downdraft or fume hood required
- Sodium bicarbonate on hand
- Use of chemically resistant surface required
- Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet if display is used
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
Class: Redox Reactions, Gas Producing Reactions
Division: General
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