Question

What safety concerns are there for dissolving the copper with concentrated nitric acid?

Answer 1

This reaction is interesting to watch as well as to perform it. Safety concerns are to be observed to do any chemical experiments in the laboratory or outside.

The chemicals required for the above reaction to take place are copper and conc.nitric acid. Copper by nature is not harmful unless the individual is exposed to higher levels of copper. copper is available in the environment naturally through decay of vegetables, burning of leaves and so on. Our body needs trace amounts of copper but higher level of exposure by breathing in copper will cause irritation to nose and throat and ingesting copper may lead to vomiting, kidney damage and death. Therefore, While doing chemical experiments it is mandatory to perform it careful by wearing gloves. The other reagent is Conc.Nitric Acid and its vapors are highly corrosive and affects the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. It oxidizes very fast in air, hence wear goggles or face shield and use nitrile gloves while handling it.

As the reaction is happening while adding copper to conc nitric acid, nitrogen dioxide is evolved, which is very toxic therefore, the reaction can be performed in a fume hood or in a open ventilation area. As the water in the vessel will help in dissolving nitrogen dioxide and diffusion of nitrogen dioxide can be controlled by using a a piece of glass wool in the neck of the flask. ( handle glass wool using forceps).

Note: Before doing the experiments, please check the apparatus and make sure there are no cracks or faults.