Answer 1

Mercury is extracted from cinnabar ore. It is the sulphide ore of mercury and its chemical formula is HgS. The name of the compound present in cinnabar is mercury (II) sulphide. It is a sulphide ore; therefore, it is first heated in the presence of surplus air (roasting). This converts mercury (II) sulphide to mercury (II) oxide.

Mercury (II) oxide is then heated again to around 300°C On heating, it gets reduced to mercury.