Unlocking the Secrets of Ores
Welcome to the fascinating world of metallurgy! In this problem, we are tasked with matching various ores to their correct chemical formulas. This might seem like a pure memory test, but understanding the nature of these ores can make remembering them a breeze.
Decoding the Ores
Let's break down each ore one by one.
Calamine is a very common ore of zinc. It is primarily composed of zinc carbonate, which gives it the chemical formula ZnCO3. If you've ever used calamine lotion for skin irritation, you've interacted with a derivative of this very mineral!
Next up is Malachite. This is a beautiful, vibrant green mineral that has been used as a pigment and gemstone for thousands of years. Chemically, it is a basic carbonate of copper. Its formula is a combination of copper carbonate and copper hydroxide, written as CuCO3⋅Cu(OH)2.
Moving on to Siderite, we encounter an important ore of iron. The name itself hints at its composition, derived from the Greek word 'sideros' meaning iron. It is an iron carbonate mineral with the formula FeCO3.
Finally, we have Sphalerite. Also known as zinc blende, this is the chief ore of zinc. Unlike calamine, which is a carbonate, sphalerite is a sulphide ore. Its chemical formula is simply ZnS.
The Final Match
Now that we have identified the chemical formula for each ore, let's align them with the given lists:
- A. Calamine matches with 3. ZnCO3
- B. Malachite matches with 4. CuCO3⋅Cu(OH)2
- C. Siderite matches with 2. FeCO3
- D. Sphalerite matches with 1. ZnS
Putting it all together, the correct sequence is A → 3, B → 4, C → 2, D → 1. This perfectly corresponds to our first option. Remembering these key ores and their formulas is a surefire way to secure marks in your chemistry exams!