BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) Practice Test

When an acid reacts with copper, no reaction typically occurs because copper is a noble metal. Noble metals, such as gold and platinum, are resistant to oxidation and do not easily react with acids like hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid under standard conditions. The lack of reactivity can be attributed to the metal's high electrode potential, meaning it does not readily lose electrons to form positive ions. In contrast, other metals, especially those lower in the reactivity series, can react with acids to produce salts and gases. For instance, reactive metals such as zinc or magnesium will displace hydrogen ions in the acid, leading to the evolution of gas (hydrogen) and the formation of a salt. However, this does not happen with copper, which explains why the expected outcome is no reaction.