Question

What is the property of necessary for an ore to be concentrated by electrostatic separation?

(a) The ore particles should be heavier than the gangue particles

(b) The ore particles should be magnetic in nature

(c) The ores should conduct electricity

(d) It should be a sulphide ore

I have been asked this question during an online exam.

The question is from Concentration of Ores in portion General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

The correct choice is (c) The ores should conduct electricity

Explanation: Electrostatic separation is a method used for concentration or separation of ores when they are good conductors of electricity. It is based on the principle that when an electrostatic field is applied the ore particles, which conduct electricity, get charged and get repelled by electrodes having same charge and all thrown away.