Explain why there would be an environmental problem if the gas from Cu2S + O2 → CuO + SO2 were allowed to escape into the atmosphere.

SO2 gas leads to acid rain

Explanation:

If we consider the reaction; Cu2S + 2O2 → 2CuO + SO2 we will notice that SO2 gas is produced. The release of SO2 gas into the atmosphere leads to acid rain or acid precipitation. Acid rain refers to a drop in the pH of rain water because it has dissolved acidic gases in the atmosphere such as sulphur dioxide. These acid gases are also known as acid anhydrides.

Acid rain is known to lead to the corrosion of roofing sheets, rise in the pH of terrestrial water bodies which threatens the survival of aquatic organisms, leaching of important soil nutrients and decline in the aesthetic appeal of statues and monuments.

Hence the sulphur dioxide produced in this reaction should be prevented from escaping into the atmosphere to avoid the formation of acid rain with its attendant deleterious consequences as listed above.