ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Extraction of copper from oxides
- In addition to sulphides
- Copper ore can also be in the form of oxides
- For example Cuprite
- Unlike withe sulphides the oxygen in copper oxides cannot be driven off by roasting
- Copper can be yielded by using the reduction process
- Sodium carbonate is used in the process
- It acts a flux
- It lowers the melting point of copper oxide and forms a slag with the impurities
- The carbon in the sodium carbonate acts as a reducing agent
- It removes the oxygen from the copper oxide ore
- The word equation for the reaction can be written as:
- \text{copper oxide+carbon}\rightarrow\text{copper+carbon dioxide}
- The electrolytic method can also be used to extract copper from its oxide ore
To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page
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