Question

Given below are the steps for the extraction of copper from its ore. Write the reaction involved.

Reduction of copper (I) oxide with copper (I) sulphide.

Answer 1

Auto- reduction

• The auto reduction process is used for the extraction of less electropositive metals, such as mercury, copper etc.
• The reduction of copper (I) oxide with copper (I) sulphide is an auto-reduction process.

Reduction of copper (I) oxide with copper (I) sulphide

• Copper(I) oxide on reacting with copper(I) sulphide gets reduced to copper, and then further copper is extracted.

$\underset{\mathrm{Copper}\left(\mathrm{I}\right)\mathrm{oxide}}{2{\mathrm{Cu}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Copper}\left(\mathrm{I}\right)\mathrm{sulphide}}{{\mathrm{Cu}}_2\mathrm{S}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Copper}}{6\mathrm{Cu}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Sulphur}\mathrm{dioxide}}{{\mathrm{SO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}$

Thus, the reduction of copper (I) oxide with copper (I) sulphide is an auto-reduction process.