Question

Metals found in a combined state in the earth’s crust are known as:
A. Native metal
B. minerals
C. metalloids
D. semi pure

Answer 1

Hint: We know that mostly elements do not occur in their free state as they are reactive in nature. Also, the Earth is a main source of many metals and ores.

Complete step by step answer:
Minerals are naturally occurring chemical compounds. They have a specific chemical composition of metals and other different elements. Minerals are inorganic solid compounds. All the atoms in a mineral are arranged in a definite 3 dimensional geometric pattern. Due to this definite arrangement of atoms within a lattice, the mineral is found always in crystalline and solid form.
The minerals are always naturally occurring i.e. the minerals are not synthesised artificially in the laboratory. So we can conclude that the synthetic gems like cubic zirconia are not minerals as they are synthesised artificially.
Also when we say that minerals have specific chemical composition this means that the two samples of minerals can be considered the same only if both the samples have the same basic chemical composition. Certain examples of minerals are Bauxite, Magnetite, Dolomite, Cuprite, etc.
But if we talk about the metalloids, then it is clear that they are actually the elements in the periodic table which exhibit the property of both the metals and non-metals.
Native metals are not found in combined states in nature. Native metals are the metals that are found in its pure metallic form in nature or in the form of alloys.

Therefore, the correct choice for this given question is B.

Note:
Thus, minerals are the naturally occurring inorganic chemical substances found in the earth’s crust. The minerals are found in solid crystalline form because all the atoms in the minerals are arranged in a well-defined geometrical structure.