Copper was the first metal to be produced from its ore because it is the easiest to smelt,that is,to refine by heating in the presence of carbon.The ore was likely malachite [Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃].What is the mass percent of copper in malachite?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the mass percent of copper in malachite, calculate the molar mass of malachite and the total mass of copper in it. Malachite's formula is Cu2(OH)2CO3. The molar mass of Cu is 63.55 g/mol, so for two Cu atoms, it's 127.1 g/mol. The molar mass of (OH)2 is 34.02 g/mol, and CO3 is 60.01 g/mol. The total molar mass of malachite is 127.1 + 34.02 + 60.01 = 221.13 g/mol. The mass percent of copper is (127.1/221.13) * 100% = 57.5%.

Copper Was the First Metal to Be Produced from Its