Question
Copper can be extracted by hydrometallurgy but not zinc. Explain.
Solution
Hydro metallurgy method is based on the fact that more electropositive metals displace less electro positive metals from their salt solution. Copper is precipitated from copper sulphate solution by adding iron.
CuSO4 + Fe → FeSO4 + Cu↓
But Zinc is not precipitated from zinc sulphate solution by adding iron. Hence copper can be extracted by hydro metallurgy but not zinc.
CuSO4 + Fe → FeSO4 + Cu↓
But Zinc is not precipitated from zinc sulphate solution by adding iron. Hence copper can be extracted by hydro metallurgy but not zinc.
