Explain the extraction of: $(i)$ Copper from Copper$(I)$ oxide,$(ii)$ Zinc from zinc oxide.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(A) $(i)$ Extraction of copper from $Cu_{2}O$: In the Ellingham diagram,the $Cu_{2}O$ line is at the top,making it easy to reduce copper oxide ores to metal by heating with coke. Often,sulphide ores are roasted to oxides: $2Cu_{2}S + 3O_{2} \rightarrow 2Cu_{2}O + 2SO_{2}$. The oxide is then reduced: $Cu_{2}O + C \rightarrow 2Cu + CO$. In practice,iron is removed as slag $(FeSiO_{3})$ and copper is obtained via auto-reduction: $2Cu_{2}O + Cu_{2}S \rightarrow 6Cu + SO_{2}$. The product is called Blister Copper.
$(ii)$ Extraction of zinc from $ZnO$: Zinc oxide is reduced using coke at high temperatures $(1673 \ K)$. The oxide is mixed with coke and clay to form briquettes: $ZnO + C \xrightarrow{1673 \ K} Zn + CO$. The zinc metal is then distilled off and collected by rapid chilling.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Carbon cannot be used to produce magnesium by chemical reduction of $MgO$ because

Which among the following processes occurs at $1500 \ K$ in a blast furnace for the extraction of iron?

In the $Hall-Heroult$ process,a mixture of $......$ is used as an electrolyte.

Among the following groups of oxides,the group containing oxides that cannot be reduced by $C$ to give the respective metal is

Difficult
View Solution

Carbon cannot be used in the reduction of $Al_2O_3$ because

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo