Copper is extracted from the ore, chalcopyrite, CuFeS2. How many kilograms of a 0.862% chalcopyrite ore will be necessary to produce 1.00 kg of pure copper?

Question

The percentage of copper in chalcopyrite needs to be known to work this problem.

Answer 1

CuF_eS₂

What % of this compound is Cu?

Molar mass CuFeS2 = 183.5 g / mol (add up atomic masses of all elements present)

% Cu = 63.55 g / 183.5 g (x100%) = 34.6% Cu

To get 1 kg of Cu from PURE CuFeS2 we would need...

34.6% (x) = 1 kg and x = 2.89 kg

But since the ore being extracted is only 0.862% CuFeS2, we will need a lot more ...

amount of ore needed = 2.89 kg / 0.862% = 335 kg