Answer :
### Why You Might Choose to Extract Copper from Copper Oxide [tex]\( Cu_2O \)[/tex] Rather than Copper Sulfide [tex]\( Cu_2S \)[/tex]
When choosing between extracting copper from copper oxide [tex]\( Cu_2O \)[/tex] or copper sulfide [tex]\( Cu_2S \)[/tex], there are several considerations that might lead you to prefer [tex]\( Cu_2O \)[/tex]:
1. Less Harmful Byproducts: The extraction of copper from [tex]\( Cu_2S \)[/tex] produces sulfur dioxide [tex]\( SO_2 \)[/tex], a harmful gas that can contribute to air pollution and acid rain. In contrast, extracting copper from [tex]\( Cu_2O \)[/tex] produces fewer harmful byproducts.
2. Availability and Abundance: Copper oxide [tex]\( Cu_2O \)[/tex] might be more readily available or more abundant in nature compared to copper sulfide [tex]\( Cu_2S \)[/tex]. This can make the extraction process more feasible and cost-effective.
### How Using Sulfur Dioxide [tex]\( SO_2 \)[/tex] to Make Sulfuric Acid Will Affect the Atom Economy
Using the byproduct sulfur dioxide [tex]\( SO_2 \)[/tex] to produce sulfuric acid can improve the atom economy of the reaction. Atom economy is a measure of the efficiency of a reaction in terms of the mass of the desired product(s) relative to the total mass of the reactants. If the byproduct [tex]\( SO_2 \)[/tex] can be utilized to make sulfuric acid, it means that:
- The byproduct [tex]\( SO_2 \)[/tex] is not wasted, leading to better resource utilization.
- The overall efficiency of the reaction increases because a secondary valuable product (sulfuric acid) is obtained from the initial byproduct.
This utilization enhances the sustainability and economic viability of the process, thereby contributing positively to the atom economy.
When choosing between extracting copper from copper oxide [tex]\( Cu_2O \)[/tex] or copper sulfide [tex]\( Cu_2S \)[/tex], there are several considerations that might lead you to prefer [tex]\( Cu_2O \)[/tex]:
1. Less Harmful Byproducts: The extraction of copper from [tex]\( Cu_2S \)[/tex] produces sulfur dioxide [tex]\( SO_2 \)[/tex], a harmful gas that can contribute to air pollution and acid rain. In contrast, extracting copper from [tex]\( Cu_2O \)[/tex] produces fewer harmful byproducts.
2. Availability and Abundance: Copper oxide [tex]\( Cu_2O \)[/tex] might be more readily available or more abundant in nature compared to copper sulfide [tex]\( Cu_2S \)[/tex]. This can make the extraction process more feasible and cost-effective.
### How Using Sulfur Dioxide [tex]\( SO_2 \)[/tex] to Make Sulfuric Acid Will Affect the Atom Economy
Using the byproduct sulfur dioxide [tex]\( SO_2 \)[/tex] to produce sulfuric acid can improve the atom economy of the reaction. Atom economy is a measure of the efficiency of a reaction in terms of the mass of the desired product(s) relative to the total mass of the reactants. If the byproduct [tex]\( SO_2 \)[/tex] can be utilized to make sulfuric acid, it means that:
- The byproduct [tex]\( SO_2 \)[/tex] is not wasted, leading to better resource utilization.
- The overall efficiency of the reaction increases because a secondary valuable product (sulfuric acid) is obtained from the initial byproduct.
This utilization enhances the sustainability and economic viability of the process, thereby contributing positively to the atom economy.