What are the products when copper(II) carbonate reacts with nitric acid?

What are the products when copper(II) carbonate reacts with nitric acid?

• A. Copper(II) Nitrate, Water, and Carbon Dioxide
• B. Copper(II) Chloride, Water
• C. Copper(II) Oxide, Carbon Dioxide
• D. Copper metal, Water, Oxygen

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that a metal carbonate reacting with an acid produces a salt, carbon dioxide and water. Here, copper(II) carbonate reacts with nitric acid to form copper(II) nitrate as the salt, plus carbon dioxide gas and water. The balanced equation is CuCO3 + 2HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + CO2 + H2O. This fits because the acid provides nitrate ions to form copper nitrate, and the carbonate releases CO2 when it neutralizes the acid, with a molecule of water produced as well. The other options don’t fit because they would require chloride ions, oxide formation, or metallic copper as products, which aren’t produced in this acid–carbonate reaction.

The main idea is that a metal carbonate reacting with an acid produces a salt, carbon dioxide and water. Here, copper(II) carbonate reacts with nitric acid to form copper(II) nitrate as the salt, plus carbon dioxide gas and water. The balanced equation is CuCO3 + 2HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + CO2 + H2O. This fits because the acid provides nitrate ions to form copper nitrate, and the carbonate releases CO2 when it neutralizes the acid, with a molecule of water produced as well. The other options don’t fit because they would require chloride ions, oxide formation, or metallic copper as products, which aren’t produced in this acid–carbonate reaction.