======Making Nitrogen Dioxide======


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**Alternative titles:** Reaction of Copper with Nitric Acid
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Place a small amount of copper metal (such as copper turnings or a short length of copper wire) into a fume hood or well-ventilated reaction vessel.  
  - Carefully add concentrated nitric acid to the copper.  
  - Observe the reaction as the copper dissolves and brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide are released.  
  - Note the blue-green solution forming, which contains copper nitrate.



====Links==== 
Reaction of copper with nitric acid - Royal Society of Chemistry: 
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Making Nitrogen Dioxide - Berean Builders: 
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📄 Occurrence, Preparation, and Properties of Nitrogen - Openstax: [[https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/18-7-occurrence-preparation-and-properties-of-nitrogen]]\\

====Variations====
  * Compare the reaction with other metals such as zinc or magnesium to see differences in reactivity.



====Safety Precautions====
  * This reaction must only be performed in a fume hood due to toxic nitrogen dioxide gas.  
  * Wear safety glasses and gloves to protect from nitric acid burns.  
  * Handle concentrated nitric acid with extreme care; it is highly corrosive and oxidizing.  
  * Do not inhale fumes under any circumstances.  
  * Dispose of waste solutions properly following local regulations.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does concentrated nitric acid react differently with copper compared to dilute nitric acid? (Dilute acid produces mainly nitric oxide, while concentrated acid produces nitrogen dioxide.)  
  * What is the oxidation state change of copper in this reaction? (Copper goes from 0 in the metal to +2 in copper nitrate.)  
  * Why does the solution turn blue-green? (The color is from dissolved copper(II) nitrate.)  
  * Why must this experiment be performed in a fume hood? (Because nitrogen dioxide is toxic and dangerous to breathe in.)