Question

Extraction of copper from sulphide ore is less favourable than from its oxide ore through reduction

Answer 1

Extraction of copper from sulphide ore is less favourable than extracting it from its oxide ore through reducing it with carbon or by displacement reactions. This is so because this process is more easy and cheap than purifying it directly from its sulphide ore.

Answer 2

Hello Arshia,

● Answer -
- Extraction of copper is done reduction of its ore by coke(C).
- When copper sulphide ore is reduced with coke, standard Gibbs free energy change is positive rendering the reaction unfavourable.
2CuS + C --> CS2 + 2Cu , ∆G = +ve
- When copper oxide ore is reduced with coke, standard Gibbs free energy change is negative making the reaction favourable.
Cu2O + C --> 2CO + 2Cu , ∆G = -ve


Hope this helped you..