Final answer:
Gypsum, sand, and copper ore are examples of minerals. Gypsum is used for plaster, sand is used in construction, and copper ore is processed to extract copper metal, which is used in various industries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gypsum, sand, and copper ore are examples of minerals and geological materials. Gypsum is a sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, used for making plaster and fertilizer. Sand is a granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles, often quartz, and is common in construction. Copper ore, on the other hand, is an ore that contains copper in forms such as sulfides (e.g., covellite, CuS) and oxides (e.g., tenorite, CuO), which can be processed to extract copper metal.
In the isolation of copper, copper sulfide ores like chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) and chalcocite (Cu₂S) are concentrated and then roasted to remove sulfur as sulfur dioxide (SO₂). The roasting leaves a mixture including, among other things, Cu₂S, which undergoes further reactions, perhaps with a flux like limestone, to facilitate the removal of impurities. The end result is copper metal, which has numerous industrial applications. These minerals and processes are integral to various industries and the global economy.