We heated purified copper powder in a crucible over a hot plate (while continuosly stirring) the result, the powder turned black.What can be the purpose of this experiment? Is this correct: To determine whether there is a chemical reaction when Copper powder is heated?
Copper forms a black oxide, CuO, but because it is relatively unreactive, it takes a lot of heat to make it oxidize. (It also forms a red oxide, Cu?O, but not under the oxidizing conditions of the atmosphere.)
