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Kinetics research of the reaction of copper with nitric acid in various conditions of acid concentration and temperature of the process.

Description: During our chemistry classes , we carried out lesson topics related to acid reactions. Our teacher told us that the kinetics of their reaction is more complicated than described in most chemistry textbooks, where we can only find basic information about the reaction, for example copper with dilute and concentrated nitric acid. It was the moment when we decided that we wanted to check it thoroughly, to learn the reaction mechanism of copper in contact with nitric acid of various concentrations and in various temperature conditions. What gases will be produced during the reaction, in what volume proportions? We want to answer this question in our research.

The aim of our project is to investigate the behaviour of copper in relation to nitric acid (V) in more detail, as the subject is not described exhaustively in secondary school textbooks. We research the effect of acid concentration, mixing or temperature increase on the rate of the reaction. To this end, we implement our project in cooperation with the Faculty of Inorganic, Analytical and Electrochemistry of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, where we have the opportunity to use scientific laboratories or high-class equipment.At the beginning of the experiments, the first colorless bubbles of nitrogen oxide (II) were observed during the reaction between copper and 2,9-M nitric acid (V). As the concentration of the acid increased, the reaction proceeded faster, and the amount of gas bubbles released also increased. During the reaction with 5-M acid, the solution started changing color to blue, and during the reaction with 9-M nitric acid (V), a brown gas, namely nitrogen oxide (IV), began to precipitate. Regarding the studies on the effect of mixing, the first signs of the reaction were observed only at a concentration of 5.4 M, and the reaction with the release of nitrogen oxide (IV) began at an 8-M acid concentration. The research is still ongoing, and we are striving to expand it with new ideas. Currently, we are delving into the topic of copper structure before and after the reaction using a scanning microscope. In the near future, we would like to apply our acquired knowledge to work on copper recovery from electronic waste, which would contribute to environmental protection.Our proprietary research will allow us to predict the behavior of the metal in reaction with acid. The acquired knowledge will translate into continued research on the corrosion processes occurring around us.

Organisation: ZESPÓŁ SZKÓŁ NR 6 w JASTRZĘBIU-ZDROJU / POLSKO-ANGIELSKA SZKOŁA PODSTAWOWA EDISON W WARSZAWIE

Innovator(s): Emilia Basiura, Anna Leśny, Patryk Olejniczak, Stanisław Woźniak, Adam Kruczkowski. Promotorzy: Jerzy Maduzia, Barbara Halska, Maciej Sowa

Category: Chemistry

Country: Poland

Silver Award