Question

Cinnabar is an ore of:

• A. Mercury
• B. Copper
• C. Gold
• D. Tin

Hint:

Important ore-metal relationships:
• Cinnabar \( (HgS) \rightarrow \) Mercury
• Bauxite \( \rightarrow \) Aluminium
• Hematite \( \rightarrow \) Iron
• Galena \( \rightarrow \) Lead

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept:
An ore is a naturally occurring mineral from which a metal can be extracted economically and conveniently. Different metals occur in nature in the form of different ores. Some important examples are:
• Bauxite \( \rightarrow \) Aluminium
• Hematite \( \rightarrow \) Iron
• Galena \( \rightarrow \) Lead
• Cinnabar \( \rightarrow \) Mercury Cinnabar is chemically represented as: \[ HgS \] It is mercury sulphide and is the chief ore of mercury.

Step 1: Understand the ore mentioned in the question.
The question asks about: \[ \text{Cinnabar} \] Cinnabar is a sulphide ore containing mercury and sulphur. Its chemical formula is: \[ HgS \] where:
• \(Hg\) represents mercury
• \(S\) represents sulphur

Step 2: Analyze all options carefully.
Option (A): Mercury
Cinnabar is the principal ore of mercury. Hence, this option is correct. Option (B): Copper
Copper ores include: \[ CuFeS_2 \text{ (Copper pyrites)} \] Hence, incorrect. Option (C): Gold
Gold usually occurs in native state and not as cinnabar. Hence, incorrect. Option (D): Tin
Tin ore is cassiterite: \[ SnO_2 \] Hence, incorrect.

Step 3: Select the correct answer.
Therefore, cinnabar is an ore of: \[ \boxed{\text{Mercury}} \] Hence, \[ \boxed{(1)\ \text{Mercury}} \]