Which one of the following is the ore of copper?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Malachite
Malachite, \( \ce{CuCO3} \).\( \ce{Cu(OH)2} \), is a basic carbonate ore of copper. The other copper ores are copper pyrites (\( \ce{CuFeS2} \)), cuprite (\( \ce{Cu2O} \)) and copper glance (\( \ce{Cu2S} \)). Calamine (\( \ce{ZnCO3} \)) is an ore of zinc, siderite (\( \ce{FeCO3} \)) an ore of iron, and kaolinite is a clay, an aluminium silicate.
Note 1: This question is from the pre-rationalised NCERT book (2022-23). The topic is not there in the latest NCERT book (2026-27), and it is also out of the CUET 2026 syllabus.
NCERT (Pre-rationalised edition, 2022-23):
Occurrence of Metals – …
Note 2: The same/similar question has been asked in different years by NTA as per the details given below:
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | 20-06 S3 12-06 S3 | 30-08 S2 |