Question

The most common source of copper (CuCu) is the mineral chalcopyrite (CuFeS2CuFeS2). How many kilograms of chalcopyrite must be mined to obtain 395 gg of pure CuCu

Answer 1

1.14kg of chalcopyrite

Step-by-step explanation:

In 1 mole of chalcopyrite, CuFeS₂, there is 1 mole of Cu. Thus, to solve this question we need to convert the mass of pure Cu to moles using molar mass (Cu = 63.546g/mol). Then, the moles of Cu are equal to moles of chalcopyrite that must be converted to grams and then to kg (CuFeS₂: 183.54g/mol)

Moles Cu:

395g Cu * (1mol / 63.546g) = 6.216 moles Cu = 6.216 moles CuFeS₂

Mass chalcopyirite:

6.216 moles CuFeS₂ * (183.54g/mol) = 1140.9g

In kilograms:

1140.9g * (1kg / 1000g) =

1.14kg of chalcopyrite