Why Doesn't Nitric Acid React with Copper Oxide?

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SUMMARY

Nitric acid does not react with copper oxide (CuO) under standard conditions, while it does react with copper (Cu) to produce nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a brown gas. The reaction between nitric acid and copper oxide results in the formation of copper(II) nitrate (Cu(NO3)2) and water (H2O), represented by the equation CuO + 2 HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + H2O. This distinction arises from the differing oxidation states and reactivity of the two copper compounds when exposed to nitric acid.

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Why is it that nitric acid won't react with copper oxide, but it will react with copper?
 
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Why do you think? What reaction do you think will happen?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Why do you think? What reaction do you think will happen?
I tried it during a lab, and nothing had happened so i am not sure, but when i added nitric acid to copper metal a brown gas had formed, and i am wondering why nitric acid reacts with copper but not copper oxide, and the only conclusion i am at, is that copper oxide does not react with nitric acid, but after searching online i found that they do to form a salt.. CuO + 2 HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + H2O. So i am pretty confused.
 

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