Cu + 4HNO3 ---> 2H2O + 2NO2 + Cu(NO3)2

Before

 



After

 In this reaction we added HNO3 to the Cu, and heated it. This dissolved the copper strips and changed the solution to a light blue liquid of Cu(NO3)2. H2O and NO2 also formed, but evaporated into the air. The copper in the end is apart of the blue liquid.