QJEEM23Cha4c6: JEE Main 2023 Chemistry - Class 12 JEEM23Cha4c6 Solution: In the extraction process of copper, the product obtained after …

The sequence of reactions stated here is part of the copper extraction process, specifically the smelting and conversion stages. Initially, copper sulfide (Cu $_2$ S) reacts with oxygen (O $_2$ ) to form copper(I) oxide (Cu $_2$ O) and sulfur dioxide (SO $_2$ ), according to the equation :

$2 \mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{S} + 3 \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{O} + 2 \mathrm{SO}_2.$

Subsequently, the resulting copper(I) oxide then reacts with remaining copper sulfide to yield copper (Cu) and additional sulfur dioxide :

$2 \mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{O} + \mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{S} \rightarrow 6 \mathrm{Cu} + \mathrm{SO}_2.$

The output of this process, which contains about 98-99% copper, is known as "blister copper". This name derives from the blister-like appearance of the copper surface, which results from the release of sulfur dioxide gas during the reaction.