Question

The metal which can be extracted simply by heating the cinnabar ore in air is ______.

Options

• Zn

• Cu

• Al

• Hg

Answer 1

The metal which can be extracted simply by heating the cinnabar ore in air is Hg.

Explanation:

Cinnabar is the sulphide ore of mercury, specifically mercury (II) sulphide (HgS), which is a metal of very low reactivity. When heated in air (roasting), it readily reacts with atmospheric oxygen to form mercury (II) oxide, which then decomposes into pure liquid mercury at high temperatures. The other options are incorrect because zinc requires carbon reduction, aluminium requires electrolysis, and copper requires a separate self-reduction process involving its residual sulphide.