Copper is a widely used transition metal that can be extracted from various ores, including chalcopyrite.
A sample of chalcopyrite ore has the following composition by mass:
Cu=34.6%,Fe=30.4%,S=35.0% \text{Cu} = 34.6\%, \quad \text{Fe} = 30.4\%, \quad \text{S} = 35.0\% Cu=34.6%,Fe=30.4%,S=35.0%Show by calculation that the empirical formula of this ore is CuFeS2\text{CuFeS}_2CuFeS2. [Relative atomic masses, ArA_rAr: S=32.1\text{S} = 32.1S=32.1, Fe=55.8\text{Fe} = 55.8Fe=55.8, Cu=63.5\text{Cu} = 63.5Cu=63.5]
In the industrial extraction of iron from its ore, iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3Fe2O3) is reacted with carbon monoxide in a blast furnace:
Fe2O3+3CO→2Fe+3CO2 \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + 3\text{CO} \rightarrow 2\text{Fe} + 3\text{CO}_2 Fe2O3+3CO→2Fe+3CO2Explain which element has been reduced in this reaction.
Describe the bonding in copper metal.
Explain why copper metal conducts electricity.
