Answer:

Cinnabar is indeed an ore of Hg (mercury). Let's delve into the details to understand why.

Definition of an Ore:
An ore is a naturally occurring material from which a valuable or useful mineral can be extracted. Ores are typically compounds, and they can be processed to obtain the desired metal or mineral.

What is Cinnabar?
Cinnabar is a bright red mineral that is composed mainly of mercury sulfide (HgS). It has a distinctive red color and is commonly found in hydrothermal veins (cracks in rocks filled with hot water) and hot springs. Cinnabar has been used since ancient times for its mercury content.

Mercury (Hg):
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is a heavy, silver-white metal that is liquid at room temperature. Mercury is known for its toxic nature and is harmful to human health and the environment. However, it has various industrial applications, including its use in thermometers, barometers, electrical switches, and fluorescent lights.

Process of Extracting Mercury from Cinnabar:
The process of extracting mercury from cinnabar involves the following steps:

1. Crushing and Grinding: The cinnabar ore is first crushed and ground into a fine powder.

2. Roasting: The powdered ore is then heated in the presence of oxygen to convert the mercury sulfide (HgS) into mercury vapor (Hg) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The chemical reaction is as follows:
HgS(s) + O2(g) → Hg(l) + SO2(g)

3. Condensation: The mercury vapor is condensed and collected, as it is in a gaseous state at the temperature of the roasting process.

4. Purification: The collected mercury may undergo further purification processes to remove impurities and obtain high-purity mercury.

5. Application: The extracted mercury can be utilized in various industrial processes or converted into different forms for specific applications.

Conclusion:
In summary, cinnabar is an ore of mercury (Hg). It is a naturally occurring mineral that contains mercury sulfide. The extraction process involves crushing, roasting, condensation, and purification to obtain mercury in its usable form. Although mercury is toxic, it has several industrial applications, making cinnabar a valuable source of this element.