Question

Calamine is an ore of:

• A. Lead
• B. Iron
• C. Copper
• D. Zinc

Hint:

Remember: Calamine (\(\text{ZnCO}_3\)) is a carbonate ore used to extract \textbf{zinc} — often via calcination followed by reduction.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding Calamine
Calamine is a naturally occurring mineral form of zinc carbonate: \[ \text{Calamine} = \text{ZnCO}_3 \] It is one of the important ores used for the commercial extraction of zinc. Step 2: Extraction of Zinc from Calamine
Calamine is typically concentrated and then subjected to calcination: \[ \text{ZnCO}_3 \xrightarrow{\Delta} \text{ZnO} + \text{CO}_2 \] The zinc oxide formed is then reduced with carbon to produce metallic zinc: \[ \text{ZnO} + \text{C} \rightarrow \text{Zn} + \text{CO} \] Step 3: Elimination of Incorrect Options
- Lead: Extracted from galena (PbS).
- Iron: Obtained from hematite and magnetite.
- Copper: Extracted from ores like chalcopyrite (CuFeS\(_2\)). Conclusion: Calamine is an ore of zinc.