Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide

H2 + CuO → Cu + H2O

Overview

Hydrogen gas reduces copper(II) oxide to metallic copper and water when heated. The black copper oxide powder turns to reddish-brown copper metal, and water droplets condense on cooler parts of the apparatus. This is a standard experiment demonstrating reduction with hydrogen.

Participants

Role Substance Coefficient State
Reactant Hydrogen H 1 (g)
Product Copper Cu 1 (s)
Product Water H₂O 1 (l)

Everyday Example

Hydrogen reduction of metal oxides is the principle behind reducing atmospheres used in brazing and soldering to prevent oxidation.

Industrial Importance

Hydrogen reduction is used in producing pure copper for electronics and in direct reduction ironmaking processes as an alternative to carbon-based reduction.

Properties

Type
Single Replacement
Reversible
No
Energy
Exothermic
ΔH
-130.0 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid Aluminum Reacting with Iron(III) Oxide (Thermite) Aluminum Reducing Chromium Oxide (Aluminothermic) Calcium Reacting with Water Carbon Reducing Iron Oxide in Blast Furnace Chlorine Displacing Bromine from Sodium Bromide Chlorine Displacing Iodine from Potassium Iodide Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate Fluorine Displacing Chlorine from Sodium Chloride Iron Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide?
The balanced equation is: H₂ + CuO → Cu + H₂O.
What type of reaction is Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide?
Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide is a single replacement reaction.
Is Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide exothermic or endothermic?
Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -130.0 kJ/mol.