Question

Chalcopyrite is an ore of:
(A) Gallium
(B) Copper
(C) Calcium
(D) Magnesium

Answer 1

Hint: Ores are naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted profitably. Chalcopyrite has a brassy yellow color which is similar to the appearance of gold and pyrite.

Complete Solution :
Option (A):- (Gallium) :- Gallium is not mined, rather, it is obtained as a by-product of mining and processing other metals like aluminum, zinc and copper.
Hence option (A) is not the correct answer.
Option (B):- Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulphide mineral that has a chemical formula \[CuFe{{S}_{2}}\]. It has been the primary ore of copper for a very long time.
Hence, option (B) is correct.
Option (C):- Calcium mineral is very common and can be mined anywhere. It is mainly obtained from limestone, gypsum and dolomite.
Hence, option C is also incorrect.
Option (D):- Magnesium is found in minerals like magnesite, dolomite and brucite. Dolomite ore is considered one of the most suitable ore for obtaining magnesium. Hence, option D is incorrect.
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note: We should not get confused between chalcopyrite and pyrite.
- Chalcopyrite uses a soft mineral that can be scratched by a nail whereas pyrite is hard enough that a nail cannot dig into its surface.
- The two minerals usually occur in different forms.