Can some1 help me out! I know that copper can form Cu2+ ion but how does this actually happen? I know it is a transition metal and that it can form more than 1 ion, but can some1 give me an example of how it actually forms a 2+ ion? What does it bond with for that to happen? Thanks!

in electrolysis Cu2+ can gain electrons to become Cu.

 

to make Cu2+ just oxidise some Cu.

ok, i cant edit my post for some reason, so heres an add-on

 

H2O2 is a very strong oxidiser

ahhhhhhhhhh....icic, thanks heap

Copper is what`s known as "Divalent" Cation. it can form Copper (I) oxide and Copper (II) oxides, respectively: CuO and Cu2O.

 

lookup Valency or Divalent in Google too, it`ll give you plenty more data

hey does any1 know of useful websites becoz i tried divalent on google search and it gave info that I don't quite understand (I'm in grade 12 Australia)

Chemistry: A number which reflects an element's ability to combine with other elements

 

Definition: An atom or radical group which has a valence of two, or which can combine with two (rather than one) different other atoms or molecules.

 

taken from: http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/divalent

 

this may help: http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Cu/key.html

 

and in the same page, check out the Oxides of Copper too

its obvious that Cu has 1 electron on the outer shell so how come sometimes it forms Cu2+ and sometimes Cu+? it wouldn't be stable if it lost 2 electrons isn't that right? what determines whether it forms cupric or cuprous?

transition metals get "excited" electrons sometimes; electrons jump to a higher energy level. when they jump back, they release energy as visible light. copper+2 cations are +2 because they have an extra excited electron

can u give a bit more explanation on that? r there any websites with more details on that?

http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/0953-8984/14/27/201/