The reaction between copper(II) oxide (CuO) and hydrogen gas (H₂) is a reduction reaction, where CuO is reduced to copper (Cu) and hydrogen is oxidized to water (H₂O). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
\[ \text{CuO} + \text{H}_2 \rightarrow \text{Cu} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]
In this reaction, solid copper (Cu) is produced, and water (H₂O) is formed as a byproduct. This process typically occurs at elevated temperatures, where the hydrogen can effectively reduce copper(II) oxide to metallic copper.