Question

Explain givem equation, what happens when a mixture of Cu₂O and Cu₂S is heated?

Answer 1

When a mixture of Cu₂O and Cu₂S is heated, they react together to give copper metal and sulphur dioxide gas. This is one of the methods used to reduce sulphide ore of less reactive copper to copper metal. Copper glance, Cu₂S, is roasted in the presence of air to get converted to Cu₂O. Cu₂O then reacts with non-oxidised Cu₂S ore in the absence of air to form copper metal.