Extracting copper from copper(II) carbonate

A macro photograph of a piece of rock with malachite (copper ore)

Source: © Shutterstock

Use this practical to produce copper from copper(II) carbonate, modelling the extraction of copper from malachite. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Malachite is a copper ore consisting mainly of basic copper(II) carbonate, CuCO3.Cu(OH)2. In this experiment, students learn how to produce copper from copper(II) carbonate by heating it to produce copper(II) oxide, which is then reduced to the metal using carbon as a reducing agent.

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