Justify that the reaction: 2Cu₂O(s) + Cu₂S(s) → 6Cu(s) + SO₂(g) is a redox reaction. Identify the species oxidised/reduced, which acts as an oxidant and which acts as a reductant.
Let us assign oxidation numbers to each species in the given reaction:
In this reaction, copper is reduced from the +1 state to zero oxidation state, while sulphur is oxidised from the -2 state to the +4 state. Since both oxidation and reduction are occurring simultaneously, the above reaction is a redox reaction.
Further, helps sulphur in to increase its oxidation number, therefore, Cu(I) is an oxidant. The sulphur of helps copper both in itself and to decrease its oxidation number; therefore, sulphur of is the reductant.
Explanation
The textbook solution assigns oxidation numbers to show that copper goes from +1 to 0 (reduction) and sulphur goes from -2 to +4 (oxidation). Cu2O acts as the oxidant while sulphur in Cu2S acts as the reductant.