Question 21.9: Write a balanced net ionic equation for the reaction of nitr...

Write a balanced net ionic equation for the reaction of nitric acid with insoluble copper(II) sulfide; the products include Cu^{2+}, S(s), and NO_{2}(g).

STRATEGY

1. Recall the general procedure for writing and balancing redox equations from Chapter 4.
2. Note that HNO_{3} is a strong acid, so it should be represented as H^{+} and NO_{3}^{-} ions.

The blue check mark means that this solution has been answered and checked by an expert. This guarantees that the final answer is accurate.
Learn more on how we answer questions.
oxidation: CuS(s) → S(s)
reduction: NO_{3}^{-}(aq) → NO_{2}(g)
Skeleton half-equations
oxidation: CuS(s) → S(s) + Cu^{2+}(aq) + 2 e^{-}
reduction: NO_{3}^{-}(aq) + 2H^{+}(aq) + e^{-}(aq) → NO_{2}(g) + H_{2}O
Balanced half-reactions
CuS(s) → S(s) + Cu^{2+}(aq) + 2e^{-}

\frac{2(NO_{3}^{-}(aq) + 2H^{+}(aq) + e^{-}(aq) → NO_{2}(g) + H_{2}O)}{CuS(s) + 2NO_{3}^{-}(aq) + 4H^{+}(aq) → Cu^{2+}(aq) + S(s) + 2NO_{2}(g) + 2H_{2}O}

Overall reaction

Related Answered Questions

Question: 21.6

Verified Answer:

oxidation number: +3; oxide with oxidation number ...