Question

Which one of the following minerals is obtained from ocean water?
(A) Aluminium
(B) Sulphur
(C) Magnesium
(D) Iron

Answer 1

Hint: The mineral that is obtained from the ocean water among the given options, has two electrons in its valence shell. This mineral is also obtained from the Dolomite and Brucite ore.

Complete step by step answer:
Mineral is any inorganic solid that gets formed naturally in the environment.
- We know very well that many minerals are dissolved in the ocean water because water can dissolve many salts as it is a universal solvent.
- We find chloride, sodium, magnesium minerals in good amounts in the ocean water.
- Let’s see the amount of some minerals which are present in ocean water. These amounts may vary in different oceans.

Mineral	Concentration in ppm
Chloride	19000
Sodium	10500
Magnesium	1300
Sulphur	800
Calcium	400
Potassium	380
Bromine	70

From the above given data we can say that aluminum and iron is present in very less amounts. So, it is not profitable to obtain them from ocean water. So, they are not obtained from sea water.
- Magnesium and sulfur are present in good amounts in ocean water. But out of them we can obtain sulfur from other sources and it has a relatively less concentration on sea water as compared to magnesium.
- Thus, we can say that magnesium mineral is obtained from sea water.
Thus, we can conclude that option (A) is a correct answer for this question.

Note:
Remember that chloride is the mineral that is present in the highest amount in ocean water. So, as a result we can see that the table salt (NaCl ) is obtained from sea only by evaporation of water from the sea water. Magnesium is separated from the brine by means of electrolysis.