Question

What is the main composition of matte?
A. $CuS$
B. $CuO$
C. $C{u_2}S$
D. $C{u_2}O$

Answer 1

We need to know that matte is a substance which contains two or more compounds mixed together. And the components mixed not in a constant proportions and not with chemical bonding. And it is a phase in which the metal by extraction is changed into crude metal and that is the final product. The copper component is the main component present in the matte.

Complete answer:
$CuS$ is not the main component present in matte. Hence option (A) is incorrect.
The main component in matte is not $CuO$. Hence option (B) is incorrect.
The copper matte is the substance containing the mixture of iron sulphide, $\left( {FeS} \right)$ and copper sulphide, $\left( {C{u_2}S} \right)$. Hence, the main component present in the matte is copper sulphide. The matte is a phase of copper extraction before the final reduction. The roast ore is blended well with sand, (silica - $Si{O_2}$) and coke. And this is passed to the blast furnace. The hot air in the furnace will blast and iron oxide is converted into ferrous silicate, $\left( {FeSi{O_3}} \right)$. This ferrous silicate is known as slag. It will slip over the molten matte of copper. And the main component present in the matte is copper sulphide, $\left( {C{u_2}S} \right)$. Hence, option (C) is correct.
The main component present in matte is not copper (I) oxide, $C{u_2}O$. Hence, option (D) is incorrect.

So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note:
The main component present in matte is copper sulphide, $\left( {C{u_2}S} \right)$. The matte is the substance used in pyrometallurgy set to the molten metal sulphide phases generally attained in the time of smelting of nickel, copper, and other basic metals. And matte is a method in which the extraction of copper before the final reduction.