Question

In metallurgy the term “gangue” is used for :

• A. Contamination of undesired earthy materials.
• B. Contamination of metals, other than desired metal.
• C. Minerals which are naturally occurring in pure form
• D. Magnetic impurities in an ore.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

In metallurgy, the term "gangue" refers to unwanted earthy materials present along with the mineral in an ore. These materials are typically non-valuable and have to be removed during the extraction and refining processes to obtain the desired metal in its pure form.

Let's understand why each option is considered and how it relates to the concept of "gangue":

• Contamination of undesired earthy materials: This is the correct definition of gangue. Gangue consists of non-valuable minerals or materials such as quartz, calcite, or feldspar that are naturally mixed with the ore and need to be separated.
• Contamination of metals, other than desired metal: This refers to impurities that are metallic but not the primary focus of extraction. However, gangue mainly refers to non-metallic earthy impurities.
• Minerals which are naturally occurring in pure form: This does not define gangue. Minerals in pure form are usually the target for extraction, not considered gangue.
• Magnetic impurities in an ore: This might involve specific types of gangue, but not all gangue is necessarily magnetic, and the option is too specific. Gangue includes a broader range of unwanted earthy materials without restricting to just magnetic properties.

Thus, the correct answer is that gangue refers to the "contamination of undesired earthy materials" found in ore.