Question

Reduction to free metal: some of the methods commonly used to get free metal from the concentrates ore are below.

Smelting: The process of extracting a metal in the state of fusions is called smelting. In this process the ore is mixed with carbon and heated in suitable furnace

Electrolytic reduction process: This process is used in the extraction of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, zinc and aluminium.

Self reduction process: The sulphide ores of less electropositive metals like Hg, Pb, Cu etc., are heated in air so asto convert part of the ore into oxide or sulphate which then reacts with the remaining sulphide ore to give the metal.

After partial roasting, the sulphide of copper is reduced by :

• A. Reduction by carbon
• B. Electrolysis
• C. Self-reduction
• D. Cyanide process

Answer 1

The correct option is C Self-reduction

In the extraction of copper, metal is formed in the Bessemer converter due to self reduction as

${Cu}_{2}S+2{Cu}_{2}O\to 6Cu+S{O}_2$