1. Tardigrade
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  3. Chemistry
  4. Copper is the most noble of the first row transition metals and occurs in smali deposits in several countries. Ores of copper include chalcanthite ( CuSO 4 ⋅ 5 H 2 O ), atacamite ( Cu 2 Cl ( OH )3), cuprite ( Cu 2 O ), copper glance ( Cu 2 S ) and malachite ( Cu 2( OH )2 CO 3). However, 80 % of the world copper production comes from the ore chalcopyrite ( CuFeS 2). The extraction of copper from chalcopyrite involves partial roasting, removal of iron and self-reduction. In self-reduction. the reducing species is (1) S (2) O 2- (3) S 2- (4) SO 2

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Q. Copper is the most noble of the first row transition metals and occurs in smali deposits in several countries. Ores of copper include chalcanthite $\left( CuSO _{4} \cdot 5 H _{2} O \right)$, atacamite $\left( Cu _{2} Cl ( OH )_{3}\right)$, cuprite $\left( Cu _{2} O \right)$, copper glance $\left( Cu _{2} S \right)$ and malachite $\left( Cu _{2}( OH )_{2} CO _{3}\right)$. However, $80 \%$ of the world copper production comes from the ore chalcopyrite $\left( CuFeS _{2}\right)$. The extraction of copper from chalcopyrite involves partial roasting, removal of iron and self-reduction.
In self-reduction. the reducing species is
(1) $S$
(2) $O ^{2-}$
(3) $S ^{2-}$
(4) $SO _{2}$

IIT JEEIIT JEE 2010General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

Solution:

$Cu_2S+2Cu_2O_2\rightarrow 6Cu+SO_2$
In $Cu_2S$, sulphur is $S^{2-}$ and in $SO_2$, sulphur is in $+4$ state. Hence, $S^{2-}$ is acting as reducing agent.