Copper is extracted from copper pyrites by heating in a bessemer converter. The method is based on the principle that

Options

A. Copper has less affinity for oxygen than sulphur at high temperature
B. Copper has more affinity for oxygen than sulphur at high temperature
C. Sulphur has less affinity for oxygen at high temperature
D. Iron has less affinity for oxygen than sulphur at high temperature

Answer

B

Explanation

The method is based on the principle that copper has more affinity for oxygen than sulphur at high temperature.
Reaction of Bassemerisation
`FeS + O_(2) rarr FeO + SO_(2) , FeO + SiO_(2) rarr underset("Slag")(FeSiO_3 darr)`
`CuS + O_(2) rarr Cu_(2)O + SO_(2)`
`Cu_(2)O + underset("Pyrites")underset("copper")(Cu_2S) overset("Auto")underset("oxidation")rarrunderset("copper")underset("Blister")(Cu darr) + SO_2`