Question

Cinnabar is an ore of :
a.) Pb
b.) Zn
c.) Hg
d.) Cu

Answer 1

Hint: Cinnabar is a form of mercury(II) sulphide. It is bright scarlet to brick red coloured ore. It contains the metal atom which is liquid at room temperature. This metal is even present in thermometers, barometers and many other apparatuses.

Complete answer:
Cinnabar is an ore of mercury(II) sulphide. The chemical formula of Cinnabar is HgS. It is the most common source of mercury.
So, cinnabar is more of mercury (Hg).

Thus, the option c.) is the correct answer.

Additional information:
Cinnabar is the most common source of mercury. Mercury has applications in many fields. Although toxic, it still is used in many apparatuses. The thermometers, barometers and many other instruments have mercury filled tubes to check temperature. The mercury can show a large change even for a small difference in temperature. So, it is easy to note a small change in temperature. Earlier, cinnabar was used for decorative purposes but later on its toxicity due to presence of mercury was found. This leads to its less use. Nowadays, cinnabar is used in jewellery by replacing the toxic part with a resin based polymer that approximates the appearance of pigmented lacquer.

Note:
Cinnabar normally occurs as a vein-filling mineral which is associated with volcanic activity. It has symmetry like quartz. It has been used for its colour. It is used to colour stoneware. It is normally found in a massive or granular form. It occasionally occurs as crystals. It even possesses the second highest refractive index of any mineral.