Question

Write the name of the metal whose ore is siderite.

Answer 1

Hint:
The word ‘Siderite’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Sideros’. Think about the ores like hematite, magnetite, and limonite from which we obtain the same metal which is obtained from siderite.

Complete step by step solution:
As you know, metallurgy deals with the extraction of metals from its minerals or ores in pure form. Minerals are the natural materials in which metals are found in the earth as compounds. The ore is a mineral which contains a high amount of metal and also the extraction of the metal should be easy and economical. So, there are so many minerals in the earth which contain metals. But the only mineral we consider as ore which we can extract the metal easily and economically from it.
The word ‘Siderite’ comes from the Greek word ‘Sideros’ which means ‘Iron’. So, it is clear that siderite is an ore of iron. The chemical formula for the siderite is$FeC{{O}_{3}}$. The other common ores are hematite, magnetite, and limonite of which hematite is the most commonly found is hematite whose chemical formula is $F{{e}_{2}}{{O}_{3}}$. The oxidation state of iron in this ore is +2. The importance of this siderite ore is it contains about 48% of iron and has no content of sulphur and phosphorus.
So, iron is the metal whose ore is siderite.

Note:
Please note that mineral and ores have different definitions. Minerals are naturally found crystals of different elements. Ores are the rocks from which we can extract the minerals from. Ores have large concentrations of minerals so we can extract them easily and economically. Minerals can be found in small quantities in the earth’s crust or in large concentrations in ores