Question

An ore of \[C{u_2}S\] is:
(A) copper glance
(B) malachite
(C) cuprite
(D) pyrites

Answer 1

Hint: It is a heavy grey metal. It is an ore of \[C{u_2}S\]. The process of extracting minerals from ores is called metallurgy. The mine is a copper mine located in Okanogan county, Washington at an elevation of 5,600 feet.

Complete Solution :
-Discussing option, A, Copper glance is an ore of \[C{u_2}S\]. Chalcocite is the other name of this ore. It is dark-grey to black in colour with a metallic luster and also opaque.

-Discussing option B, malachite is not an ore of \[C{u_2}S\] Copper carbonate hydroxide mineral is known as Malachite. Copper carbonate hydroxide mineral is a having formula of \[C{u_2}{(OH)_2}C{O_3}\]. This is a green-banded mineral and it is opaque.

-Discussing option C, Cuprite is an oxide mineral which is a minor ore of copper. It is composed of copper(I) oxide \[C{u_2}O\]. Clearly, \[C{u_2}S\] cannot be obtained from cuprite.

-Discussing option D, the iron pyrite or mineral pyrite is also known as fool's gold. It is an iron sulfide with the chemical formula \[Fe{S_2}\]. Pyrite is the most abundant sulfide mineral.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Additional information: Chalcocite is sometimes found as a primary vein mineral in hydrothermal veins. Most of the chalcocite occurs in the supergene enriched environment which is below the oxidation zone of copper deposits as a result of the leaching of copper from the oxidized minerals. It is also often found in sedimentary rocks.

Note: Chalcocite, malachite, and cuprite are all the ores of copper. But their bonding atom is different. What does this mean? This means that while extraction of these individual ores, there are different types of processes to be followed.