NEETChemistryElectrochemistry
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Copper metal cannot liberate hydrogen gas from dilute hydrochloric acid. Reason (R): The standard reduction potential of Cu²⁺/Cu is positive, which makes copper a weaker reducing agent than hydrogen. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given bel
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- C(A) is true but (R) is false.
- D(A) is false but (R) is true.
Correct answer
B. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Step-by-step solution
Metals placed below hydrogen in the electrochemical series have positive standard reduction potentials. They are weaker reducing agents than hydrogen (which has a standard reduction potential of 0.00 V ). Copper has a standard reduction potential of +0.34 V . Because its reduction potential is higher than that of H^+/H₂ , copper cannot reduce H^+ ions to H₂ gas. Therefore, copper does not liberate hydrogen gas from dilute acids like HCl . Thus, both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct expl