Question

There are two steps in the extraction of copper metal from chalcocite, a copper ore. In the first step, copper(I) sulfide and oxygen react to form copper(I) oxide and sulfur dioxide. In the second step, copper(I) oxide and carbon react to form copper and carbon monoxide. Write the net chemical equation for the production of copper from copper(I) sulfide, oxygen and carbon. Be sure your equation is balanced.

Answer 1

Answer:

The net chemical equation is:

$2Cu_2S + 3O_2 + 2C -> 2SO_2 + 2CO + 4Cu$

Explanation:

Condictions for extraction of copper metal allow the reaction ocurrs.

First step yield 2 moles of $Cu_2O$, that later reacts with C, to poduce the copper metal.

Necessarily, reactions has to be balanced to know the proportion of each element.

In the first step oxygen (O2) replace sulfur (S), yielding sulfur dioxide and copper(I) oxide:

$2Cu_2S + 3O_2 -> 2Cu_2O + 2SO_2$

Next, copper(I) oxide reacts with carbon (C), yielding copper (Cu) and carbon monoxide:

$Cu_2O + C -> 2Cu + CO$

At the end, to complete the net chemical reaction, it is necessary multiply second step for 2, since it is obtained two moles of  $Cu_2O$ from the first step. Then, we can sum both steps, reminding that species present in both terms are canceled.

$2Cu_2S + 3O_2 -> 2Cu_2O + 2SO_2\\2Cu_2O + 2C -> 4Cu + 2CO\\2Cu_2S+ 3O_2 + 2C -> 2SO_2 + 2CO + 4Cu$