Question: 2 g of brass containing Cu and Zn only reacts with 3 M HNO3 solution.

Following are the reactions taking place

Cu(s) + HNO3 (aq) --> Cu2+ (aq) + N02(g) + H200) anS) + H*(aQ) + N03“ (861) -> NH4+ (aq) + Zn2+ (aq) + H200)
The liberated N02(g) was found to be 1.04 L at 25°C and 1 atm [Cu = 63.5, Zn = 65.4]
Choose the correct answer :
1. The percentage by mass of Cu in brass was (1) 67% (2) 70% (3) 80% (4) 90%
2. The volume of HNO3 consumed during the reaction with brass is
(1) 9.52 ml (2) 14.5 ml (3) 15.25 ml (4) 10.5 ml

Date/C: 05-04-2018/4062/A4988

Answer:  Cu NO3  2  2NO2  2H2O

Cu  4HNO3 

PV 1  1.04
nNO    0.042 moles
2
RT 22.4
 298
273

0.042
 nCu   0.021 moles
2

 w Cu  1.335g
1.335
 % of Cu =  100  66.67%
2

 nCu  0.021moles

NH4NO3  4Zn NO3  2  3H2O

4Zn  s  10HNO3 

w Zn  2  1.335

= 0.665g

0.665
nZn   0.0107 moles
65.4

IN the reaction

Cu   Cu2  2e 

1 mole of Cu reacts with 2 moles of HNO3 ’
ie  HNO3   NO2 

Zn 
 Zn2  2e   4

8e  HNO3 
NH4

4 mole of Zn reacts with 1 mole of HNO3

nZn
Moles of HNO3 required =  nCu  2
4

0.0107
=   0.021  2  2.675  103  0.042  0.044675 moles
4

0.044675  1000
 volume of HNO3   14.89 ml
3

Best Wishes!

Aakash “Ask an Expert” Team