3.4 Extracting Copper

Question 1

How is copper extracted from copper-rich ores?

Answer 1

By smelting

Question 2

What is smelting?

Answer 2

When the ore is heated strongly in a furnace

Question 3

What does smelting produce?

Answer 3

Impure copper

Question 4

What happens to impure copper?

Answer 4

It can be purified by electrolysis

Question 5

What does smelting and purifying copper require?

Answer 5

Large amounts of heating and electricity

Question 6

Copper rich ores are a…?

Answer 6

Limited resource

Question 7

What are scientists trying to do?

Answer 7

Develop new ways of extracting copper from low-grade ores which have less environmental impact than smelting

Question 8

What is phytomining?

Answer 8

Using plants to absorb copper compounds from the ground. The plants are then burned and produce ash from which copper can be extracted

Question 9

What is bioleaching?

Answer 9

Using bacteria to produce leachate solutions containing copper compounds

Question 10

How is copper displaced from solutions of copper compounds?

Answer 10

By using a metal that is more reactive than copper

Question 11

What three ways can be used to produce copper metal from its compounds?

Answer 11

Smelting, electrolysis and displacement

Question 12

How is copper extracted from solutions of copper compounds?

Answer 12

By electryolysis