Question

Which of the following minerals does not contain sodium?
A.Trona
B.Borax
C.Epsomite
D.Cerussite

Answer 1

The compounds of metal that occur naturally are called minerals. Minerals are created without any human interference by natural processes. They are found in various forms from powdered form to hard solid form.

Complete step by step answer:
Trona- It has chemical formula $N{a_3}\left( {C{O_3}} \right)\left( {HC{O_3}} \right).2{H_2}O$. It is a mineral that occurs as an evaporite in salt deposits. Its properties are-
-It is grey in color or colorless with a glass like shine.
-It has hydrated carbonate and bicarbonate of sodium as its component.
-It is used as a raw material for soda ash which is used in glass, paper products and in laundry detergents.
-It is used in the manufacture of sodium bicarbonate and sodium phosphate.
Borax- It has a chemical formula $N{a_2}{B_4}{O_7}.10{H_2}O$. It is also called tetraborate. -It is sodium salt of tetra-boric acid. Its properties are-
-It is white colored mineral in powder form.
-It is alkaline in nature.
-It is used as a preservative.
-It is used in metallurgy as a flux and to identify coloured metal ions.
Epsomite-It has a chemical formula $MgS{O_4}.7{H_2}O$. It is mainly used for production of Epsom salt. Its properties are-
-It is white colored with tints of yellow, green and pink.
-It is used as a source of magnesium salts.
-It is used in manufacture of pharmaceutical products
-It is also used in production of paper and sugar.
Cerussite- It has a chemical formula $PbC{O_3}$.It consists of lead carbonate and is an important ore of lead.. Its properties are-
-It is very lustrous and usually colorless or white.
-It has very high density despite being a transparent mineral.
-It is popular because it forms attractive twinned crystals.
-It was used as a key ingredient in paints but not used because lead is toxic in nature.
So Epsomite and Cerussite do not contain sodium.

Hence the correct options are C and D.

Note:
Every mineral has different physical properties which help in identifying them and differentiating one mineral from another. They all have different color, hardness, solubility, density and many other properties. There is a difference between ores and minerals-
Ores are those minerals from which we can extract metals conveniently and economically.
All ores are minerals only and are extracted from underground so that they can be used.
But we cannot say that all minerals are ores as many minerals cannot be used to extract metals conveniently.