Question

Define the terms:
(i) mineral
(ii) ore
(iii) gangue
(iv) charge
(v) flux
(vi) slag

Answer 1

(i) Minerals: The naturally occurring metals or their compounds present on the earth surface along with sand and rocks are called minerals.

(ii) Ore: Minerals from which metals can be profitably extracted are known as ores.

(iii) Gangue: Gangue constitutes impurities like sand, mud and rocky substances like SiO₂; it is present along with metals in an ore.

(iv) Charge: The combination of substances that are supplied to a furnace during the extraction of metals from their ores is called charge.

(v) Flux: The material that is added to remove gangue is called flux.

(vi) Slag: The product obtained by combining gangue and flux is called slag.