Why is sulphide ore of copper heated in a furnace afer mixing with silica?

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Ore**: The sulphide ore of copper, commonly known as chalcopyrite, has the chemical formula CuFeS₂. This ore contains copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and sulfur (S).

2. **Heating the Ore**: When the sulphide ore is heated in a furnace, it undergoes a process called roasting. This involves heating the ore in the presence of air (oxygen). The purpose of this step is to convert the sulphide minerals into oxides.

3. **Formation of Ferrous Oxide**: During the roasting process, the sulfur in the ore reacts with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and the iron in the ore is converted to ferrous oxide (FeO). The reaction can be represented as:
\[
...