Question

Which one of the following minerals is contained in the Monazite sand?
A. Oil
B. Uranium
C. Thorium
D. Coal

Answer 1

Hint: A mineral is known as a component or chemical compound that is generally crystalline and that has been created as a result of geological processes. The name monazite arrives from a Greek word, monazein, which implies "to be alone".

Complete step-by-step solution:
Monazite is a major ore of several rare earth metals most notably thorium and cerium. All these metals have several industrial usages and are deemed relatively useful. Thorium is a highly radioactive metal and can be used as an alternate for uranium in nuclear power generation. It is, therefore, an incredibly vital mineral. It forms in phosphatic pegmatites but is a basic trace constituent in many mutual igneous, metamorphic, and vein filling rocks. If not too metamict, crystals of monazite are relatively reliable. They can be weathered out from their host rocks and carried downstream big distances and collected in river deposits and even in ocean beach deposits. It is a major ore of various rare earth metals most notably thorium and cerium. Thorium is a highly radioactive metal and could be utilized as an alternate for uranium in nuclear power production. Monazite, therefore, is an incredibly vital ore mineral.
Monazite has a chemical composition of (Ce, La, Nd, Th) (PO4, SiO4). It usually arises in small isolated grains, as an additional mineral in igneous and metamorphic rocks such as granite, pegmatite, schist, and gneiss. These grains are protected to weathering and evolve reduced in soils and sediments downslope from the host rock.

Thus option (C) is correct.

Note: Minerals are natural resources that are crucial for the construction and energy industries. Sustainable mineral development aims to assure mineral use is maintained to a minimum amount without hurting economic growth. This is attained by the productive use of minerals as well as recycling and the use of alternative materials.