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Correct Answer: a native element.
the question concerns a mineral composed solely of the element copper. this type of mineral, along with others like silver and gold, that consists of only one element and is found naturally in its pure, uncombined form, is known as a native element. native elements are significant because they exist in the earth's crust and other natural settings without being bonded to other elements. elements in this category can include metals, nonmetals, or metalloids.
in the provided answer choices, "a native element" is the correct term to describe minerals like the one in question. this term specifically refers to those substances that are naturally occurring in their elemental form - they have not reacted with other elements to form compounds.
the false answer choices presented each contain a fundamental misunderstanding of the term "native element":
1. an "oxidized element" implies that the element has reacted with oxygen to form an oxide, which is not the case for native elements such as copper when it exists in its elemental form.
2. an "unreacted element" is a somewhat misleading term. although native elements are indeed unreacted in that they haven't formed compounds with other elements, the term is not the standard nomenclature used in mineralogy or chemistry for such elements.
3. a "sulfated element" suggests that the element has reacted with sulfur to form a sulfate, again, a situation not applicable to native elements in their pure form.
thus, the correct answer to the question is "a native element," emphasizing that such elements like copper, gold, and silver can be found naturally in a free state, uncombined with other elements. this characteristic is what distinguishes native elements from other mineral forms where elements are found combined as part of compounds.
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