Copper sulphate is prepared by blowing a current of air through copper scrap and dilute

CHEMISTRY · Single correct · ICSE · Chemistry · Metallurgy · Metallurgy

Problem

\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4

. Dilute

\text{HNO}_3

is also added : (1) to oxidise copper to

\text{Cu}^{2+}

which then form

\text{CuSO}_4

with dilute

\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4

(2) to oxidise

\text{Fe}^{2+}

to iron (III) sulphate, which remains in solution after crystallisation of

\text{CuSO}_4

(3) to speed up the ionisation of

\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4

to give

\text{SO}_4^{2-}

ions (4) which combines with

\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4

to give a very strong oxidising mixture and oxidises Cu to

\text{Cu}^{2+}