Question

The ore calamine on calcination gives its oxide X. The common name of X is

• A. Cuprite
• B. Bauxite
• C. Zincite
• D. Siderite

Hint:

Calamine = Zinc Carbonate ($ZnCO_{3}$). Calcination of any metal carbonate leaves behind the pure metal oxide.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Recall calcination.
Calcination means heating an ore, usually a carbonate, without air, so it turns into the metal oxide and gives off carbon dioxide.

Step 2: Identify calamine.
Calamine is the ore of zinc, and its formula is zinc carbonate $ZnCO_3$.

Step 3: Write the calcination reaction.
On heating, calamine breaks down. \[ ZnCO_3 \xrightarrow{\Delta} ZnO + CO_2 \] So the product X is zinc oxide.

Step 4: Find the common name of ZnO.
The natural mineral form of zinc oxide is called Zincite. So X is Zincite.

Step 5: Rule out the others.
Cuprite is $Cu_2O$, Bauxite is an aluminium ore, and Siderite is $FeCO_3$. None of these is zinc oxide.

Step 6: State the answer.
So the common name of the oxide X is Zincite. \[ \boxed{\text{Zincite}} \]