A copper penny can be dissolved in nitric acid but not in hydrochloric acid. Using reduction potentials from the book, show why this is so. What are the products of the reaction? Newer pennies contain a mixture of zinc and copper. What happens to the zinc in the penny when the coin is placed in nitric acid? Hydrochloric acid? Support your explanations with data from the book, and include balanced equations for all reactions.

Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach
2nd Edition
ISBN:9781305079243
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl
Chapter17: Electrochemistry
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A copper penny can be dissolved in nitric acid but not in hydrochloric acid. Using reduction potentials from the book, show why this is so. What are the products of the reaction? Newer pennies contain a mixture of zinc and copper. What happens to the zinc in the penny when the coin is placed in nitric acid? Hydrochloric acid? Support your explanations with data from the book, and include balanced equations for all reactions.

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