The equation Cu + Hg2Cl2 -> Cu2Cl2 + 2Hg

Detailed information about the chemical reaction Cu + Hg₂Cl₂ -> Cu₂Cl₂ + 2Hg:

• Cu is the chemical symbol for Copper, Hg₂Cl₂ is the chemical symbol for Mercury(I) chloride, Cu₂Cl₂ is the chemical symbol for Copper(I) chloride and Hg is the chemical symbol for Mercury.
• This reaction is a redox reaction where Cu is oxidized from an oxidation state of 0 to +1, and the pair of Hg₂^2+ ions in Hg₂Cl₂ are reduced from an oxidation state of +1 to 0.

Reaction conditions:

• Commonly, the reaction occurs in an acidic or mildly alkaline environment.
• The specific conditions depend on the actual conditions in the laboratory.

Reaction process:

• Copper reacts with Mercury(I) chloride, forming Copper(I) chloride and Mercury.
• This shift is carried out via an ion exchange process: Cu + Hg₂Cl₂ -> Cu₂Cl₂ + 2Hg.

Observations:

• When the reaction takes place, one would notice a change in the color of the solution, from the white color of Hg₂Cl₂ to the pale blue color of Cu₂Cl₂.
• Mercury appears as a silvery solid.