Question

Copper can be extracted by hydro metallurgy but not zinc.Explain.

Answer 1

Answer:

Copper has a higher reduction potential than zinc or iron. Thus, in hydro-metallurgy iron and zinc can be used to displace copper from its solution.

Fe(s) + Cu2+(aq) ⇒ Fe2+ (aq) + Cu(s)

However, in order to displace zinc a metal more reactive than it is required e.g. K, Ca , etc. The problem arising now is that all these metals react with water to liberate hydrogen gas. Thus, they cannot be used for the extraction of zinc using hydro-metallurgy.