5. when the statue of liberty was built in 1886, the air was rich with sulfur, a byproduct of coal mining…

5. when the statue of liberty was built in 1886, the air was rich with sulfur, a byproduct of coal mining. copper forms a compound with sulfate ions in the air, cus. compounds containing both copper and sulfur can be brown, black, or blue. using your understanding of electronegativity, make a prediction: is copper more likely to react with oxygen to form cuo or with sulfur to form cus? note: when copper forms an ionic bond with oxygen or sulfur, the oxygen or sulfur atom \steals\ electrons from the copper atom.

5. when the statue of liberty was built in 1886, the air was rich with sulfur, a byproduct of coal mining. copper forms a compound with sulfate ions in the air, cus. compounds containing both copper and sulfur can be brown, black, or blue. using your understanding of electronegativity, make a prediction: is copper more likely to react with oxygen to form cuo or with sulfur to form cus? note: when copper forms an ionic bond with oxygen or sulfur, the oxygen or sulfur atom \steals\ electrons from the copper atom.

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Electronegativity

Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons. Higher electronegativity means a stronger pull on electrons. Oxygen has an electronegativity of ~3.44, sulfur has ~2.58.

Step2: Relate to Bonding

In ionic bonding, the more electronegative atom "steals" electrons. Since O is more electronegative than S, it has a stronger pull on Cu's electrons.

Step3: Predict Reaction Likelihood

A stronger electronegative atom (O) will more strongly attract Cu's electrons, making the ionic bond formation (CuO) more favorable than with S (CuS), as S has lower electronegativity and weaker electron attraction.

Answer:

Copper is more likely to react with oxygen to form CuO.