Justify that the reaction : 2Cu_(2)O_((s))+Cu_(2)S_((s))to6Cu_((s))+SO_(2(g)) is a redox reaction. Identify the species oxidised/reduced, which acts as an oxidant and which acts as a reductant.

Justify that the reaction : 2Cu_(2)O_((s))+Cu_(2)S_((s))to6Cu_((s))+S

1.	Justify that the reaction : 2Cu_(2)O_((s))+Cu_(2)S_((s))to6Cu_((s))+SO_(2(g)) is a redox reaction. Identify the species oxidised/reduced, which acts as an oxidant and which acts as a reductant.
Answer» Solution :LET us assign oxidation number to each of the species in the REACTION under examination. This RESULTS into : `overset(+1,-2)(2Cu_(2)O_((s)))+overset(+1,-2)(Cu_(2)S_((s)))tooverset(0)(6Cu_((s)))+overset(+4,-2)(SO_(2)(g))` We therefore, conclude that in this reaction copper is reduced from +1 state to zero oxidation state and sulphur is oxidised from -2 state to +4 state. The above reaction is thus a redox reaction. Further, `Cu_(2)O` helps sulphur in `Cu_(2)S` to INCREASE its oxidation number, therefore, Cu(I) is an oxidant, and sulphur of `Cu_(2)S` helps copper both in `Cu_(2)S` itself and `Cu_(2)O` to decrease its oxidation number, therefore, sulphur of `Cu_(2)S` is reductant.