Student practical C6.1.

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Name ..................................................................... Class ................. Date .....................

Extracting copper
Specification references
 C6.1a Explain, using the position of carbon in the reactivity series, the
principles of industrial processes used to extract metals, including extraction
of a non-ferrous metal
 WS1.4a

Aims
In this activity you will find out how to extract copper from a sample of copper ore.

Learning outcomes
After completing this activity, you should be able to:
 state a definition of the term ore
 describe some stages in the extraction of copper
 use laboratory apparatus to heat a sample of copper(II) oxide and charcoal.
 outline the steps in extracting a metal from its ore
 explain, using the position of carbon in the reactivity series, how the industrial
process used to extract a metal is chosen
 describe how copper is extracted from copper(II) oxide
 prepare a sample of copper from copper(II) oxide.
 explain the extraction of copper from different ores using chemical equations
 explain extraction processes in terms of reduction or oxidation
 explain why excess charcoal must be used when extracting copper from
copper(II) oxide.

Safety
 copper(II) oxide is an irritant and a harmful chemical.
 eye protection MUST be worn throughout the practical
 when heating the boiling tube always point in a direction away from people
 wash hands after completing the practical.

Equipment
 Bunsen burner  tongs
 flameproof mat  bottle cap
 spatula  eye protection
 boiling tube  copper(II) carbonate
 boiling tube holder and rack powder
 powdered charcoal.
 crucible

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 Student practical C6.1.6
Name ..................................................................... Class ................. Date .....................

Setting the scene

An ore is a rock or mineral that contains enough metal (in the form of a
compound) to make it economically worthwhile to extract the metal. Malachite is
a copper ore containing the copper compound of copper(II) carbonate (CuCO3).
You are going to extract the copper from its malachite ore in two stages:
 thermal decomposition of the malachite to make black copper(II) oxide
 reduction of the copper(II) oxide with powdered charcoal to extract the
copper metal.

Method
Stage 1
1 Place three spatulas of copper(II) carbonate in the boiling tube.
2 Using the boiling tube holder, heat strongly at a 45° angle in a blue Bunsen
flame (see diagram).

3 When all the powder has changed from green to black, remove the heat and
allow to cool in a boiling tube rack.

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 Student practical C6.1.6
Name ..................................................................... Class ................. Date .....................

Stage 2
1 Use a spatula to remove the cooled black copper(II) oxide powder from the
boiling tube into a crucible.
2 Add an approximate equal volume of powdered charcoal to the crucible and
mix thoroughly.
3 Tip the mixture into a metal bottle-top from which the plastic seal has been
removed.
4 Using tongs, hold the bottle top in the hottest part of the Bunsen flame
(see diagram).

5 When the mixture glows red, remove it from the flame and observe the
red-brown copper that has formed.

Questions
1 a Complete the word equation for the thermal decomposition of copper(II)
carbonate (malachite):

copper(II) carbonate → + (2 marks)

b Complete the balanced symbol equation, including state symbols, for the
thermal decomposition of copper(II) carbonate (malachite):

CuCO3(s) → + (2 marks)

c When heating the copper(II) carbonate, some of the powder may rise up
the boiling tube. Explain why.

(2 marks)

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 Student practical C6.1.6
Name ..................................................................... Class ................. Date .....................

2 a Complete the word equation for the reaction of copper(II) oxide with
charcoal (carbon).

copper(II) oxide + carbon → + (2 marks)

b Complete the balanced symbol equation, including state symbols, for the
reaction of copper(II) oxide with charcoal (carbon).

2CuO(s) + C(s) → + (2 marks)

c Explain why it is best to mix an excess amount of charcoal with the

copper(II) oxide.

(2 marks)

d Explain why this reaction is called a redox reaction.

(2 marks)

3 Instead of using charcoal, hydrogen gas could be used to obtain copper from
its oxide.
a Complete the word equation for the reaction of copper(II) oxide with hydrogen.

copper(II) oxide + hydrogen → + (2 marks)

b Complete the balanced symbol equation, including state symbols, for the
reaction of copper(II) oxide with hydrogen.

CuO(s) + H2(g) → + (2 marks)

4 Another method of obtaining copper from its ore is by displacement with a

more reactive metal. For example, if copper(II) oxide is mixed with aluminium
powder and heated strongly copper metal would be formed.
a Complete the word equation for the reaction of copper(II) oxide with aluminium.

copper(II) oxide + aluminium → + (2 marks)

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 Student practical C6.1.6
Name ..................................................................... Class ................. Date .....................

b Complete the balanced symbol equation, including state symbols, for the
reaction of copper(II) oxide with aluminium.

3CuO(s) + 2Al(s) → + (2 marks)

Student follow-up
1 Complete this paragraph about the extraction of metals by choosing the
correct word from the following list. Each word can only be used once.

ores electrolysis reduction electrons

aluminium iron reactivity above below

The method chosen to extract a metal depends on its position in the

series. For metals like , which is

carbon, methods are used. For metals

like , which is carbon, heating with

carbon to extract the metal is used. All extractions of metals from their

involve of the metal, as the metal ion

in the ore gains to become the metal atom. (8 marks)

2 A student started with 24.70 g of malachite ore, which contains copper(II)

carbonate (CuCO3). After carrying out the extraction experiment, the weight
of copper formed was 7.62 g. Use these figures to estimate the percentage
copper content of the ore. (Ar values: Cu  63.5, C  12.0, O  16.0).

(5 marks)

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