No, copper does not react with water.
Why Copper Doesn't React with Water
The primary reason copper does not react with water is its position in the reactivity series of metals.
- Reactivity Series: The reactivity series is a list of metals ordered by their reactivity, i.e., their tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions.
- Hydrogen's Role: Hydrogen serves as a reference point in the reactivity series. Metals above hydrogen can displace hydrogen from acids or water, while metals below it cannot.
According to the provided reference, "Copper and Gold do not react with water, because they lie below hydrogen in the reactivity series. As a result, they cannot replace hydrogen in a water molecule." This clearly explains why copper, being below hydrogen, doesn’t react with water.
Implications of Copper's Lack of Reactivity with Water
This lack of reactivity with water has several important practical implications:
- Plumbing: Copper pipes are widely used for plumbing because they don't react with water, preventing corrosion and ensuring the water remains pure.
- Cooking Utensils: Copper is used in cookware, although often lined with another metal like stainless steel, due to its excellent thermal conductivity and resistance to water.
- Durability: The non-reactivity of copper with water ensures its longevity in various applications.
Reactivity Series Overview:
| Metal | Reactivity | Reaction with Water |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium | High | Vigorous |
| Sodium | High | Vigorous |
| Calcium | Moderate | Reacts slowly |
| Magnesium | Moderate | Reacts slowly with steam |
| Aluminium | Moderate | Reacts slowly with steam |
| Zinc | Moderate | Reacts with steam |
| Iron | Low | Reacts with steam |
| Hydrogen | N/A | Reference point |
| Copper | Very Low | No reaction |
| Silver | Very Low | No reaction |
| Gold | Very Low | No reaction |
| Platinum | Very Low | No reaction |
This table illustrates the reactivity series, highlighting that copper is below hydrogen and therefore will not react with water.
In conclusion, copper's inertness towards water stems from its low position in the reactivity series, preventing it from replacing hydrogen in water molecules.
