Question

Malachite is a mineral of: a) Aluminium b) Magnesium c) Iron d) Copper

• A. Aluminum
• B. Magnesium
• C. Iron
• D. Copper

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Copper

Explanation for correct answer

Option (D) Copper

1. Malachite is a green copper carbonate hydroxide mineral with a chemical composition of ${\mathrm{Cu}}_2\left({\mathrm{CO}}_3\right){\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2$.
2. It was the first ores used to produce copper metal.
3. Hence Option (D) is correct.

Explanation for incorrect answer

Option (A) Aluminum

1. Aluminum ore is bauxite which is consists mostly of Aluminum minerals gibbsite ($\mathrm{Al}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_3$) and Boehmite ($\mathrm{\gamma }-\mathrm{AlO}\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)$).
2. Hence option (A) is incorrect.

Option (B) Magnesium

1. Magnesium ore is Magnesite which occurs in two physical forms: Cryptocrystalline or amorphous Magnesite (${\mathrm{MgCO}}_3$).
2. Hence option (B) is incorrect.

Option (C) Iron

1. The Iron is usually found in the form of Magnetite (${\mathrm{Fe}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_4,72.4\%\mathrm{Fe}$) , Hematite (${\mathrm{Fe}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3,69.9\%\mathrm{Fe}$).
2. Hence option (C) is incorrect.

Therefore, Malachite is found in form of Copper. Option (D) is correct.