Sample Lab Activity Note

 

The Reduction of Copper Oxide to Copper
Using Carbon as the Reducing Agent

Many metal ores (for example iron ore Fe2O3) can be reduced to the metal by reaction with carbon at high temperatures. The reduction of iron ore requires a temperature of 1200°C. Copper oxide reduction can be achieved with a lower temperature of about 600°C.

Fine black powdered carbon and copper oxide were mixed in a test tube. The tube was heated as strongly as possible with a butane flame for 5-10 minutes until the glass became distorted and copper metal was formed (see figure 1).

The chemical reaction can be summarized as ...

The black copper oxide is reduced to copper metal, by the reaction with carbon, the reducing agent.