Question

Which of the following is an example of a halide ore?
A. Galena
B. Bauxite
C. Cinnabar
D. Cryolite

Answer 1

Galena belongs to lead, Bauxite is an ore of the element Aluminium, Cinnabar ore corresponds to Mercury and Cryolite is an ore of Fluorine, and fluorine is an example of a halogen.

Complete answer:
The elements that we see in our day to day life are distributed unevenly on the surface of the earth. Metals occur in nature in combined states as well as free states. The metals which are very less reactive remain in native state. The metals which are very active occur in combined states.
1.Mineral: A natural material in which a metal or its compound occurs is called mineral.
2.Ore: A mineral from which metal can be extracted economically is called an ore.
For example: Clay and bauxite are two important minerals of aluminium but Al can be extracted economically from bauxite only.
Ores are invariably found in nature in contact with rocky materials. These rocky clay or earthy impurities accompanying the ores are termed gangue or matrix.
The process of extraction of metals from their ores economically is called metallurgy. The process of extraction of each metal depends upon its nature and nature of the ore.
Now, let us come to our question. Out of the options given to us, Galena is the ore of the Lead element.
Bauxite belongs to the category of Aluminium whereas Cinnabar is the ore of the element Mercury.
Cryolite belongs to the Fluorine group and out of the four options, florine is the only halide present. So, we can say that cryolite is the best example of a halide ore.

So option (D) is the correct answer.

Note:
Apart from Cryolite, other minerals that have ores of halide are Fluorite, Calomel, Halite, Carnallite, etc.