When copper is treated with a certain concentration of nitric acid, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxid — Redox Reactions and Volumetric Analysis Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

$Cu \rightarrow Cu^{2+} + 2e^-$. Nitrogen reduces from +5 to +2 in NO (gain of 3e-) and from +5 to +4 in $NO_2$ (gain of 1e-). Net reduction for 1 mole of each gas = 4e-. Equating electrons: $2x = 4 \Rightarrow x=2$. Nitrogen balance: $y$ atoms of N on LHS must equal $2x + 1 + 1$ atoms on RHS. $y = 2(2) + 2 = 6$.