Question

(a) Define the terms (i) mineral (ii) ore, and (iii) gangue.
(b) What is meant by the 'concentration of ore'?
(c) Name one ore of copper (other than cuprite). Which compound of copper is present in this ore? Also, write its chemical formula.

Answer 1

(a) (i) Minerals: Naturally occurring metals or its compounds are called minerals.

(ii) Ore: Ore is a type of mineral from which metal can be extracted profitably and conveniently.

(iii) Gangue: The impurities like sand, mud, rocky substances etc. that are present in an ore are called gangue.

(b) An ore usually contains some undesired impurities like sand, mud, rocky substances etc. that are present with the metal. These impurities are called gangue. These impurities are required to be removed before extracting the metal from its ore. Several physical and chemical methods are used to remove these gangue substances from the ore. This process of removing gangue substances from the ore to enhance the concentration (percentage) of metal is called the concentration of the ore.

(c) An ore of copper, other than cuprite, is copper glance. Copper glance is a sulphide ore. The compound present in the ore is copper (I) sulphide. The chemical formula of the ore is ${\mathrm{Cu}}_2\mathrm{S}$.