Does copper metal and copper(II) oxide have the same physical and chemical properties?
1 Answer
Jan 26, 2018
No compound ever has the same physical and chemical properties as its component elements.
Explanation:
Take water - a colourless high boiling point liquid. Does that have the same physical and chemical properties as hydrogen and oxygen (two colourless gasses)?
The whole process of forming copper oxide from copper involves the formation of chemical bonds between copper and oxygen that were not originally present. As a result, copper (II) oxide is black crystalline solid with a melting point of around 1300 degrees C. Copper metal on the other hand is a relatively soft and ductile brown metal with a melting point of around 1000 degrees C.
