Question

What would we see in the reaction between copper carbonate and concentrated hydrochloric acid?

Answer 1

`CuCO_3(s) + 2HCl(aq) rarr CuCl_2(aq) + CO_2(g)uarr + H_2O(aq)`

Explanation:

There should be no copper carbonate in hydrochloric acid; the carbonate ion is chemically decomposed. Of course, there will be residual metal and non-metal ions. `[Cu(OH_2)_6]^(2+)` has a beautiful blue colour; `[CuCl_4]^(2-)` is yellow green, and this will be the likely colour in conc. hydrochloric acid.