Question

When copper (I) oxide dissolves in dilute sulfuric acid, copper (II) sulfate and copper are produced

a) write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction
b) discuss the changes in the oxidation states of copper in this reaction
c) is copper (I) oxide oxidised or reduced in this reaction?
d) this reaction is called disproportionation reaction. from answer in b), deduce one characteristic feature of a disproportionation reaction

Answer 1

Cu2O + H2SO4 ——> CuSO4 + Cu + H2O

Cu2O is oxidized and reduced. It lost an electron in CuSO4 for the 2+ charge, but it gained an electron in Cu to go from the 1+ charge to a neutral charge. This is dismutation (aka disproportionation)

Step-by-step explanation: