why is Cu2S added to Cu2O and then heated to get pure copper and Cu2O is not directly heated like HgO is heated to get pure mercury

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Solution

Cu₂S is not added externally in the reaction. Cu₂O which was formed upon roasting of Cu₂S, reacts with the remaining Cu₂S that remained unroasted to form Cu metal on heating and sulphur dioxide.
When Cu₂S is roasted in air, it is partly converted into Cu₂O which then reacts with remaining Cu₂S in absence of air.
Cu₂S + 2Cu₂O $\to$ 6Cu + SO₂

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