Which of the following is carbonate ore of zinc ?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option 2, Calamine, is the correct answer because it is the carbonate ore of zinc. Calamine is primarily composed of zinc carbonate (ZnCO₃), which is a naturally occurring mineral form of zinc. This makes it distinct from other zinc ores, as it specifically contains the carbonate ion (CO₃²⁻) in its chemical structure.

Now, let's examine why the other options are incorrect:

1. **Zinc blends (Option 1)**: This is likely a reference to "zinc blende," which is another name for sphalerite. Sphalerite is primarily composed of zinc sulfide (ZnS), not zinc carbonate. Therefore, it is not a carbonate ore of zinc.

2. **Zincite (Option 3)**: Zincite is a mineral form of zinc oxide (ZnO). It does not contain carbonate ions, as it is an oxide ore of zinc. This makes it different from calamine, which is a carbonate ore.

3. **Sphalerite (Option 4)**: As mentioned earlier, sphalerite is composed of zinc sulfide (ZnS). It is the most important ore of zinc but is not a carbonate ore. It is a sulfide ore, which differentiates it from calamine.

In conclusion, Calamine is the only option that correctly identifies a carbonate ore of zinc, as it contains zinc carbonate (ZnCO₃). The other options are incorrect because they represent different types of zinc ores that do not contain carbonate ions.