Copper(I) sulfide, Cu2S, is found in nature as the mineral chalcocite, which is a major component of copper ores. At high temperatures, chalcocite reacts with oxygen to produce copper metal and sulfur dioxide, SO2(g).
a. Formulate the balanced equation for the reaction of copper(I) sulfide with oxygen.
b. Determine the theoretical yield, in kg, of copper metal that could be obtained from 1.00 ton (1000 kg) of an ore that contains 75.3% of chalcocite. Assume that other components of the ore are unreactive.
c. Using your answer to part b, determine the percentage yield of copper metal if its practical yield is 506 kg.