# Stoichiometric reaction of hydrochloric acid, potassium nitrate, and copper

I have the following reaction involving these elements:

• $\ce{HCl}$ (hydrochloric acid)
• $\ce{KNO3}$ (potassium nitrate, a nitrate salt)
• $\ce{Cu}$ (copper)

The reaction should produce nitrogen dioxide ($\ce{NO2}$).

The chemical equation should look like this:

$$\ce{HCl + KNO3 + Cu -> NO2}$$

But I'm clearly missing something. Can anybody help me equalize and complete this equation?

• What kind of reaction is this? Are you putting acid into solution? I assume you don't know the other products and that is what you are looking for? – Mike Feb 18 '17 at 21:51
• I don't really know what is the reaction type. No I'm not putting acid into solution, I'm producing nitric acid using a nitrate salt, copper and hydrochloric acid, I don't know the products yeah that's it – americium1997 Feb 18 '17 at 21:57
• Looks right to me. It is strongly encouraged on Chemistry.SE to answer your own question in a formal answer rather than an edit. This will help others to find the right answer if they have a similar question. You could also possibly earn the Self-Lerner badge! Just show any work that you did to get the right equation. Also you should use the proper formatting, which you can read more about here. It's really not that difficult. I will also edit your question so you have another example. – airhuff Feb 19 '17 at 1:58
• Thank you sir for helping me with the formatting ! I didn't know that I can answer my own question, I'll try this – americium1997 Feb 19 '17 at 7:31

$$\ce{Cu + 4KNO3 + 4HCl -> Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO2 + 4KCl + 2H2O}$$