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im just wondering what would happen for an experiment. im pretty sure that when you mix copper (pennies) and Vinnegar (acid) that itcreates hydrogen gas, which is flammable. what i was wondering is
1. is that true
2. would it rise so could you capture the gas with something like a baloon
3. would it be explosive if lighted?
please answer
Vinegar is not a very strong oxidizing agent. The strongest oxidizing agent present in vinegar is the H+ ion (all acids have this.) And this reacts only with metals which are more reactive than hydrogen gas (consult an Activity Series). Copper is just a bit less reactive than hydrogen, so it doesn’t dissolve appreciably in non-oxidizing acids. However, it will dissolve in oxidizing acids, such as hot, highly concentrated sulfuric acid, or in nitric acid (but hydrogen gas is not produced under such conditions.)
You could, however, dissolve zinc wire in vinegar. Zinc is a relatively reactive metal. This does produce hydrogen, which IS flammable. And it does rise (being the lightest gas) so it can be collected. And it does indeed explode if ignited in the right (wrong?) way.
Copper is resistant to normal strong acids except nitric and warm sulfuric which are oxidizing agents as wells ..which assist in promoting Cu(0) to a higher ox state….Vinegar is ! 304 % acetic acid which is both weak and non-oxidizing..sorry..no hydrogen
No, just no.
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