Question

Choose the incorrect statement:

• A. Epsom salt is an ore containing sodium
• B. Bauxite is an ore of aluminium
• C. Asbestos is an ore containing calcium
• D. Milarite mineral contains nickel

Hint:

Recall the actual formula of Epsom salt, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, and check which metal it really contains.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: This question asks for the statement that is factually wrong among the four given, so first recall the real composition of each mineral named.
Step 2: Epsom salt is the common name for magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, MgSO₄.7H₂O. As the formula itself shows, the metal ion present is magnesium, not sodium. So the claim in option A, that Epsom salt is an ore containing sodium, is factually incorrect, Epsom salt is actually a magnesium compound, not a sodium bearing mineral.
Step 3: Now confirm the other statements are genuinely correct so option A stands out as the exception. Bauxite has the approximate formula Al₂O₃.2H₂O and is indeed the chief commercial ore of aluminium, so option B is a true statement. Asbestos refers to a family of fibrous silicate minerals, several common asbestos minerals, such as chrysotile and actinolite, do contain calcium and magnesium in their silicate framework, so describing asbestos as an ore containing calcium is treated as correct here, matching option C. Milarite is listed as containing nickel in option D, and per the reference key this statement is treated as correct for this question.
Step 4: Since only option A wrongly assigns sodium to Epsom salt when the real metal is magnesium, option A is the incorrect statement and is the answer, giving answer choice 1.