Students can read the important questions given below for Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Social Science. All Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes and questions with solutions have been prepared based on the latest syllabus and examination guidelines issued by CBSE, NCERT and KVS. You should read all notes provided by us and Class 10 Social Science Important Questions provided for all chapters to get better marks in examinations. Social Science Question Bank Class 10 is available on our website for free download in PDF.
Important Questions of Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10
Objective Type Questions
Question. Which one of the following states has the largest wind- farm cluster?
(a) Himachal Pradesh
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Gujarat
(d) Rajasthan
Ans. (b) Tamil Nadu
Question. Neyveli Lignite mines are located at –
(a) Karnataka
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Chhattisgarh
(d) Odisha
Ans. (b) Tamil Nadu
Question. The iron ore from Kudremukh mines is exported through this port.
(a) Vishakhapatnam
(b) Mangalore
(c) Mormugao
(d) Paradip
Ans. (b) Mangalore
Question. Which of the following minerals is a fossil fuel?
(a) Barium
(b) Coal
(c) Zircon
(d) Uranium
Ans. (b) Coal
Question. The largest solar power plant is located at –
(a) Ahmedabad
(b) Madhapur
(c) Mahabalipuram
(d) Thar Desert
Ans. (b) Madhapur
Question. Which of the following minerals is mined at Balaghat mines?
(a) Manganese
(b) Aluminium
(c) Copper
(d) Limestone
Ans. (c) Copper
Question. Which one of the following is not a conventional source of energy?
(a) Cow dung
(b) Firewood
(c) Coal
(d) Wind
Ans. (d) Wind
Question. Which one of the following minerals is contained in the Monazite sand?
(a) Oil
(b) Uranium
(c) Thorium
(d) Coal
Ans. (c) Thorium
Question. Bailadila mines are located in which of the following states?
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Chhattisgarh
(c) Jharkhand
(d) Odisha
Ans. (b) Chhattisgarh
Question. Which one of the following mineral is formed by decomposition of rocks, leaving a residual mass of weathered material?
(a) Coal
(b) Bauxite
(c) Gold
(d) Zinc
Ans. (b) Bauxite
Question. Which of the following states is the leading producer of Manganese?
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Odisha
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Mizoram
Ans. (b) Odisha
Question. Which of the following is an offshore oil field?
(a) Ankaleshwar
(b) Digboi
(c) Kalol
(d) Mumbai High
Ans. (d) Mumbai High
Question. Koderma, in Jharkhand is the leading producer of which one of the following minerals?
(a) Bauxite
(b) Mica
(c) Iron ore
(d) Copper
Ans. (b) Mica
Question. The Hazira – Vijaipur – Jagdishpur pipeline does not pass through this state.
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Gujarat
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Maharashtra
Ans. (d) Maharashtra
Question. Kakrapar nuclear power station is located in the state of–
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Andhra Pradesh
(c) Karnataka
(d) Gujarat
Ans. (b) Gujarat
Question. Minerals are deposited and accumulated in the strata of which of the following rocks?
(a) Sedimentary rocks
(b) Igneous rocks
(c) Metamorphic rocks
(d) None of the above
Ans. (a) Sedimentary rocks
Question. A person who studies the formation of minerals, their age and physical and chemical properties is called –
(a) Geographer
(b) Geophysicist
(c) Geologist
(d) Geomorphologist
Ans. (c) Geologist
Question. Which one of the following states is the largest producer of copper in India?
(a) Jharkhand
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Odisha
Ans. (c) Madhya Pradesh
Question. Mining depends upon-
(a) Concentration of mineral only
(b) Ease of extraction
(c) Nearness to the market
(d) All of the above
Ans. (d) All of the above
Question. Consider the following statement about Bauxite.
I. From bauxite, a clay like substance alumina is extracted.
II. Jharkhand is largest bauxite producer of India.
III. Ballari-Chitradurga belt is famous for bauxite reserves in India.
Which of the above statement is/are correct?
(a) Only I
(b) II and III
(c) I and III
(d) All of these
Answer : (a) Statement I is correct. Statement II and III are incorrect as Odisha is the largest bauxite producer in India (2016-17). Ballari-Chirtadurga-Chikkamagaluru- Tumakuru belt in Karnataka has large reserves of iron ore.
15. Arrange the following manganese producing states from highest to lowest production.
I. Odisha
II. Madhya Pradesh
III. Karnataka
IV. Andhra Pradesh
Codes
(a) II, I, III, IV
(b) I, II, III, IV
(c) III, II, I, IV
(d) II, III, IV, I
Answer : (a) The correct sequence of manganese producing states from highest to lowest production is Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
! Assertion-Reason MCQs
Direction (Q. Nos. 16-17) Each of these questions contains two statements,
Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Each of these questions also has four alternative choices, any one of which is the correct answer. You have to select one of the codes (a), (b), (c) and (d) given below.
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Question. Assertion (A) Flood gate dams are built across rivers so that water flows into inlet and gets trapped during high tides.
Reason (R) Trapped water flows back via a pipe that carries it through a power generating turbine.
Answer : (d) A is false as floodgate dams are built across inlets so that during high tide water flows into the inlet and gets trapped when the gate is closed. R is true as trapped
water flows back via a pipe that carries it through a power generating turbine.
Question. Assertion (A) Mica is a mineral made up of plates or leaves.
Reason (R) Mica deposits are found in the
Northern edge of the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Answer : (b) Mica is a mineral made up of plates or leaves. On the other hand, mica deposits are found in the Northern edge of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Thus, R is not the correct
explanation of A.
Case Based Question
Read the case/source given and answer the following questions.
Source A Biogas Shrubs, farm waste, animal and human waste are used to produce biogas for domestic consumption in rural areas. Decomposition of organic matter yields gas, which has higher thermal efficiency in comparison to kerosene, dung cake and charcoal.
(i) To what extent do you think biogas is better than dung cake for fuel?
Answer : Biogas is much better than dung cakes as it produces no smoke and has more thermal efficiency. Source B Solar Energy India is a tropical country. It has enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy. Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity. Solar energy is fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas.
(ii) Why solar energy has more potential to be developed as major fuel in rural areas?
Answer : There is more potential of developing solar energy in rural areas as there are relatively more open spaces. This will reduce the dependence on firewood and dung cakes fuel.
Source C Wind Energy India has great potential of wind power. The largest wind farm cluster is located in Tamil Nadu from Nagarcoil to Madurai. Apart from these, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep have important wind farms.
(iii) What similarity or trait can be seen in the places idealy suited for setting up wind farm?
Answer : The similarities identified are that the areas should be close to sea where there is lot of potential for blowing of wind or other windy areas.
Read the case/source given and answer the following questions.
Decaying plants in swamps produce peat which has a low carbon and high moisture content and low heating capacity. Lighite is low grade brown coal, which is soft with high moisture content. The principal lignite reserves are in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu and are used for generation of electricity. Coal that has been buried deep and subjected to increased temperatures is bituminous coal. It is the most popular coal in commercial use. Metallurgical coal is high grade bituminous coal which has a special value for smelting iron in blast furnaces. Anthracite is the highest quality hard coal. In India coal occurs in rock series of two main geological ages, namely Gondwana, a little over 200 million years in age and in tertiary deposits which are only about 55 million years old. The major resources of Gondwana coal, which are metallurgical coal, are located in Damodar valley (West Bengal, Jharkhand). Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro are important coalfields. The Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha valleys also contain coal deposits. Tertiary coals occur in the North-Eastern states of Meghalya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
(i) Which reserves are important for lignite in India?
Answer : Neyveli reserves in Tamil Nadu are important lignite reserves in India.
(ii) In what extent do you agree that bituminous coal is metallurgical coal? State its one property.
Answer : Bituminous coal is a high grade coal and thus, is a metallurgical coal. This type of coal has a special value for smelting iron in blast furnaces. Important Property of Bituminous Coal. Bituminous coal is buried deep under the earth’s surface and is subjected to increased temperature. It makes it unique to use in smelting iron-ore in blast furnaces.
(iii) Why is coal associated with geological ages? State where it is found?
Answer : Coal is associated with geological ages because coal is formed due to compression of plant material and takes million of years to come into existence. In India, coal occurs in rock series of two main geological ages, namely Gondwana rock series which is a little over 200 million years in age and in tertiary deposits rock series which are only about 55 million years old. Distribution of Coal Gondwana coal deposits are found in Damodar valley (West Bengal, Jharkhand), Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro, coalfields. The Godavari,Mahanadi, Son andWardha valleys also contain coal deposits. Tertiary coal deposits are found in the North-Eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
Read the case/source given and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct options.
Energy is required for all activities. It is needed to cook, to provide light and heat, to propel vehicles and to drive machinery in industries. Energy can be generated from fuel minerals like coal, petroleum, natural gas, uranium and from electricity. Energy resources can be classified as conventional and non-conventional sources. Conventional sources include: firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity (both hydel and thermal). Non-conventional sources include solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas and atomic energy. Firewood and cattle dung cake are most common in rural India. According to one estimate more than 70 per cent energy requirement in rural households is met by these two; continuation of these is increasingly becoming difficult due to decreasing forest area. Moreover, using dung cake too is being discouraged because it consumes most valuable manure which could be used in agriculture.
(i) Which of the following statement is true about conventional energy resources?
(a) They cause minimum pollution.
(b) They are available in limited quantity.
(c) Cattle dung is the most used energy in the world.
(d) There are sufficient reserves of conventional energy sources.
Answer : (b) Conventional energy resources are available in limited quantity.
(ii) Which of the following resources does not generate energy?
(a) Coal (b) Fuel
(c) Natural gas
(d) None of the above
Answer : (d) All the given resources are used to generate energy.
(iii) Which of the following energy is non-conventional source of energy?
(a) Firewood
(b) Tidal energy
(c) Natural gas
(d) Petroleum
Answer : (b) Tidal energy is non-conventional source of energy.
(iv) Firewood and cattle dung cake are most common energy in rural India because
(a) they are easily available
(b) they are non-conventional
(c) they produces high energy
(d) None of the above
Answer : (a) Firewood and cattle dung cake are most common energy in rural India because they are easily available.
(v) How India can reduce its dependence over countries for energy?
(a) Promoting non-conventional source of energy
(b) Promoting efficient use of resources
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of the above
Answer : (c) India can reduce its dependence over countries for energy by promoting non-conventional sources of energy and efficient use of resources.
(vi) Assertion (A) About 70 per cent energy required in countryside households are met by firewood and cattle dung cake.
Reason (R) Cattle dung cake is valuable for use as manure in agriculture.
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Answer : (b) About 70 per cent energy required in countryside households are met by firewood and cattle dung cake. On the other hand, cattle dung cake is valuable for use as
manure in agriculture. Thus, R is not the correct explanation of A.
Short Answer Type Questions
Question. Explain any three types of formations in which minerals occur.
Answer : Threemain types of formations inwhichmineral occurs are
(i) Veins and Lodes Smaller occurrences are called veins and larger ones are called lodes. In igneous and metamorphic rocks minerals may occur in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints. (ii) Beds or Layers In sedimentary rocks, minerals occur in bed or layers. They are formed as a result of deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata. (layers)
(iii) Placer Deposits Certain minerals occur as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors and the base of hills as placer deposits.
Question. Which state is the largest producer of manganese in India?Mention any four uses of manganese.
Or Which is the largest producer of manganese in India? Mention two uses of manganese.
Answer : Odisha is the largest producer of manganese in India. Uses of manganese are as follows
(i) It is used in themanufacturing of ferro-manganese alloy.
(ii) It is used in the manufacturing of bleaching powder.
(iii) It is used in insecticides, paint industries and manufacturing of batteries.
(iv) It is used in manufacturing of steel. Nearly 10 kg of manganese is required tomanufacture one tonne of steel.
Question. Name the non-metallic mineral which can split easily into thin sheets. Mention its uses.
Answer : Mica is the non-metallic mineral which can be split easily into thin sheets as it occurs in the form of plates or leaves of different colors. Uses of Mica are as follows (i) It is used in paints as a pigment extender. It also helps to brighten the tone of coloured pigments. (ii) It is used in electrical and electronic industry due to its di-electric strength, insulating properties and resistance to high voltage. (iii) It is used in making toothpaste and cosmetics due to its shiny and glittery appearance.
Question. What are the uses of limestone? Mention names of two states of India which are major producers of limestone.
Answer : The uses of limestone are as follows ! It is used in cement industry. It is because it is the raw materical of cement. ! It is essential for smelting iron ore in the blast furnace in a steel plant. Rajasthan (largest producer) Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are important states which are major producers of limestone.
Question. India is fairly rich in mineral resources, however its distribution is uneven. Comment.
Answer : India is fairly rich in mineral resources, however its distribution is uneven. This can be said with the help of following examples
(i) Gujarat and Assam have petroleum deposits as oil is found in sedimentary rocks on the Western and Eastern flanks of the peninsula. But rest of India does not have any oil deposit.
(ii) Minerals deposits are mostly available in the peninsular plateau region of Chotanagpur and rock systems of Rajasthan.
(iii) The vast alluvial plains of the North India, mountainous regions and coastal plains do not have any mineral deposits.
Question. What is the importance of energy resources? Give two examples each of conventional and non-conventional sources of energy.
Answer : Energy is required for all activities. Energy resources are needed to cook, to provide light and heat, for agricultural activities, propel vehicles and to drive machinery in industries. Thus, the sustainable development of energy resources is vital for all human activities. Examples ! Two examples of conventional sources of energy are coal and petroleum. ! Two examples of non-conventional sources of energy are solar energy and wind energy.
Question. Describe the distribution of coal in India.
Answer : In India, coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel. Coal is found in a variety of forms depending on the degress of compression and the depth and time of burial. As per these basis, coal deposits are found mainly of two geological ages. These are (i) Gondwana Coal Deposits These are about 200 million years old. The major coal deposit in India are Gondwana coal which are high quality metallurgical coal. These coal deposits are located in Damodar Valley (West Bengal-Jharkhand). Jharia, Raniganj and Bokaro are important coal deposit fields. Besides, the Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha valleys also contain such coal deposits. (ii) Tertiary Coal Deposits These are around 55 million years old. Tertiary coal deposits are found in the North-Eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. This coal is of lower quality than the Gondwana coal.
Question. State the importance of petroleum as an energy resource. Mention any four oil fields of India.
Answer : Importance of petroleum can be seen through the following points ! Petroleum or mineral oil is the next major energy source in India after coal. ! It provides fuel for heating and lighting, lubricants for machinery and raw materials for a number of manufacturing industries. ! It is a fuel used in all the automobiles. Four major oil fields of India are
(i) Mumbai High (ii) Ankleshwar and Kalol in Gujarat
(iii) Digboi, Naharkatiya and Moran is Assam
(iv) Rajasthan, Mangala, District Barmer
Question. Crude oil reserves are limited all over the world. If people continue to extract it at the present rate, the reserves would last only 35-40 years more. Explain any three ways to solve this problem.
Answer : Crude oil reserves are limited all over the world. If people continue to extract it at the present rate, the reserves would last only 30-40 years more. For energy conservation we can take the following steps (i) We have to adopt a cautious approach for the judicious use of our limited energy resources. (ii) We can use public transport systems instead of individual vehicles. (iii) We can switch off electricity when not in use, using power saving devices. We can use non-conventional energy like solar energy, wind power, biogas etc instead of using petroleum.
Question. What is natural gas?What is its advantage?Name one region of India where its reserves are found. Or “Natural gas is an important source of energy.” Support the statement.
Answer : Natural gas is an important source of energy. It is an important clean energy resource found in association with or without petroleum. It is also used as an industrial raw material in the petrochemical industry. Advantages of natural gas are ! Natural gas is an environment friendly fuel. ! It generates low carbon dioxide emission during use. ! It is increasingly replacing pollution causing fuels. Large reserves of natural gas have been discovered in the Krishna-Godavari basin.
Question. Mention any three factors that determine the economic viability of a reserve.
Answer : The three factors that determine the economic viability of a reserve are (i) The quality and quantity of mineral concentration in the ore. For example, magnetite is regarded better than haematite as it has more concentration of iron. (ii) The cost of extraction. If the cost of extraction is high than mining is not profitable. (iii) Location of mines near the industries.
Question. What are the two main ways of generating electricity? How are they different from each other? Explain.
Or Make a distinction between hydroelectricity and thermal electricity stating three points of distinction.
Answer : The two main ways of generating electricity are by running water (hydro electricity) and by burning fuels (thermal electricity).
Question. ‘‘Energy is an indispensable requirement in our modern lives.’’ Explain the statement with three examples.
Answer : It is true that Energy is an indispensable requirement in our modern lives. It can be understood through the following examples (i) Every sector of the national economy requires energy. For example, agriculture, industry, transport, commercial and domestic needs require inputs of energy. (ii) Implementation of economic development plans necessarily require increasing amounts of energy to remain operational. (iii) Energy is required for all domestic activities like cooking, lighting and heating and even air-conditioning (cooling).
Question. Why do you think that solar energy has a bright future in India?
Answer : Solar energy has a bright future in India due to the following reasons
(i) Solar energy is an inexhaustible source of energy that is produced from sunlight. India is a tropical country thus, there is enough scope for the development of solar energy.
(ii) Many parts (regions) of the country receive sunlight at least 300 days annually and so, it becomes possible to generate 20 MW solar energy per square kilometer in such areas.
(iii) It is easy to establish solar plants in urban and rural areas.
(iv) By setting up solar plants in rural areas, the dependence of people on fire wood can be reduced.
(v) Solar energy is also becoming popular as it is used for cooking, heating water, lighting, etc.
Question. “India is highly dependent on coal for meeting its commercial energy requirement.” Support this statement with three arguments.
Answer : The fact that India is highly dependent on coal for meeting its commercial energy requirement can be supported from the following arguments (i) The majority of electricity generation plants in India are based on burning of coal for generating steam to power turbines. (ii) Many industries use coal in the blast furnaces for generating heat for their various operations. (iii) Coal is an important constituent in steel production, alumina refineries, and in chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Question. What is tidal energy? Which regions in India provide ideal conditions for utilising tidal energy?
Answer : The electrical energy that can be generated through the oceanic tides is known as tidal energy. This can be done by building flood gate dams in areas that get submerged during high tides. During high tide when the water flows inside the dam, the gates are closed. After the high tide, the water retained by the flood gate falls back to the sea via a pipe that carries it through a power generating turbine. The regions in India that provide ideal conditions for utilising tidal energy are the Gulf of Khambhat, the Gulf of Kachchh and Gangetic delta in Sunderban.
Question. Why India has the potential to develop wind energy? Which places in India are sources of wind energy?
Answer : India has a long coastline in which there is scope of developing wind energy. The areas along the coastline are windy and wind mills can be established there. The places in India having source of wind energy or wind mills are (i) Wind farm cluster located in Tamil Nadu from Nagercoil to Madurai. (ii) Wind farms in Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Lakshadweep and Andhra Pradesh. (iii) Wind farm in Jaisalmer.
Question. Explain any three different forms in which minerals generally occur.
Ans. (i) Minerals occur in the form of veins and lodes (in igneous and metamorphic rocks).
(ii) In sedimentary rocks, a number of minerals occur in beds and layers.
(iii) As residual mass of weathered material.
(iv) As alluvial deposits in ocean waters.
Question. Explain three factors that make mineral extractions commercially viable.
Ans. (i) The minerals content of the ore must be in sufficient concentration.
(ii) The type of formation or structure in which they are found determines the relative cases with which mineral ores may be mined.
Question. Name the mineral ore from which aluminium is extracted. Why is it gaining importance? Give its distribution in India.
Ans. (i) Bauxite.
(ii) Aluminium is gaining importance because of its extreme lightness, good conductivity and great malleability. It combines the strength of metals such as iron.
(iii) It is mainly found in Amarkantak Plateau, Maikal Hills and the plateau region of Bilaspur-Katni. Koraput district in Odisha has large deposits. Odisha is the largest bauxite producing state. Others are Gujarat, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Question. Why is it essential to use renewable sources of energy?
Ans. (i) Non-renewable sources are going to exhaust such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc. They can cause environmental pollution; therefore, we have to use renewable resources.
(ii) India has abundance of solar energy, wind, water, and biomass.
(iii) Rising prices of oil and gas and their shortage have raised uncertainties about energy resources in the future.
Question. Which state is the largest producer of manganese in India? Mention any two uses of manganese.
Ans. Odisha is the largest producer of manganese in India.
Two uses of manganese are:
(i) Manganese compounds are used in dry-cell batteries, matches, fireworks, etc.
(ii) Manganese is used as an alloying agent for aluminium.
Question. Describe any three characteristics of Bellary-Chitradurga- Chikmaglur-Tumkur iron ore belt in India.
Ans. (i) Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmaglur-Tumkur belt in Karnataka has large reserves of iron ore.
(ii) The Kudermukh mines located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka are a 100 per cent export unit.
(iii) Kudremukh deposits are known to be one of the largest in the world.
(iv) The ore is transported as slurry through a pipeline to a port near Mangalore.
Question. Why is energy required for all activities? How can energy be generated?
Ans. (a) (i) Energy is a basic requirement for economic development.
(ii) Every sector of the national economy needs the input of energy.
(iii) Consumption of energy in all forms has been steadily rising all over the country.
(iv) Rising prices of oil and gas and their potential shortage have raised uncertainties about the security of energy supply in the future.
(b) Energy can be generated from fuel minerals like coal, petroleum, natural gas, uranium and from electricity.
Question. Describe any three characteristics of the Durg-Bastar- Chandrapur Iron-ore belt in India.
Ans. (i) Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt: It lies in Chhattisgarh and
Maharashtra and comprises of high grade hematite iron ore.
(ii) Very high grade hematites are found in the famous Bailadila range of hills in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
(iii) The range of hills comprises of 14 deposits of super high grade hematite iron ore.
(iv) Iron ore from these mines is exported to Japan and South Korea via Vishakhapatnam port.
Question. There is an urgent need to develop a sustainable path of energy development. Give two broad measures for it. As concerned citizens, how can you help to conserve energy?
Ans. Twin planks/measures :
(i) Promotion of energy conservation.
(ii) Increased use of renewable energy sources.
As concerned citizens, we can do our bit by :
(i) Using public transport systems instead of individual vehicles.
(ii) Switching off electricity when not in use.
(iii) Using power–saving devices.
(iv) Using non-conventional sources of energy.
Question. Describe any three characteristics of Odisha-Jharkhand belt of iron ore in India.
Ans. Odisha-Jharkhand belt :
(i) In Odisha, high grade hematite ore is found.
(i) It is found in Badampahar mines in the Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts.
(iii) In the adjoining Singbhum district of Jharkhand, hematite iron ore is mined in Gua and Noamundi.
Question. What are ‘placer deposits’? Give examples of minerals found in such deposits.
Ans. (i) Certain minerals may occur as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors and base of hills. These deposits are called ‘placer deposits’.
(ii) They generally contain minerals which are not corroded by water.
(iii) Gold, silver, tin and platinum are examples of some important minerals found in ‘placer deposits’.
Question. “Natural gas is an important source of energy.” Support the statement.
Ans. Natural gas :
In a power-deficient country, natural gas is a precious gift.
(i) It can be used as a source of energy. It takes less time to build a power plant based on natural gas.
(ii) It can be used as an industrial raw material in petrochemical industry.
(iii) It can be used in building the fertiliser plants and thereby encouraging the use of fertilizers. It can boost agricultural production.
(iv) Through easy transportation by way of pipelines, its utility is further increased.
(v) Use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles to replace liquid fuels is gaining wide popularity in the country.
Question. What efforts are required to use mineral resources in a planned and sustainable manner? Explain in three points.
Ans. Following efforts have to be made to use mineral resources in a planned and sustainable manner :
(i) Recycling of metals: We should recycle the metal or metal-made products to prevent its scarcity.
For example: Used steel blade should be sent for recycling, so that the steel can be used again for other purposes.
(ii) Improved technologies need to be evolved: Traditional technologies should be replaced with new and improved technologies, so that the wastages can be minimised.
(iii) Use of substitute or alternative resources : The resources which cannot be recycled or reused should be replaced with the recyclable resources, e.g., use of green gas instead of coal for cooking purpose.
Question. How can solar energy solve the energy problem to some extent in India? Give your opinion.
OR
Why is solar energy fastly becoming popular in rural and remote areas of India? Explain.
Ans. (i) India is a tropical country, therefore it receives sunlight in abundance throughout the year.
(ii) Solar plant can be easily established in rural and remote areas.
(iii) It will minimise the dependence of rural households on firewood and dung cakes which in turn will contribute to environmental conservation and adequate quantity of manure.
(iv) Solar energy is an important alternate source. Use of solar energy will reduce the pressure on conventional sources of energy.
Question. How is mining activity hazardous? Explain.
OR
How is the mining activity injurious to the health of the miners and environment? Explain.
OR
“Mining affects health and environment both.” Comment.
Ans. The mining activity is injurious to the health of the miners and environment as :
(i) The dust and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases.
(ii) The risk of collapsing mine roofs.
(iii) Inundation and fires in coal mines are a constant threat to miners.
(iv) The water sources in the region get contaminated due to mining.
(v) Dumping of waste and slurry leads to degradation of land, soil and increase in stream and river pollution.
Question. What are the uses of copper? Name the two leading copper producing states of India.
Ans. Uses of copper :
(i) In manufacturing electrical cables.
(ii) In electronic industries.
(iii) In chemical industries.
The two leading copper producing states of India are Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Question. “Natural gas is considered an environment–friendly fuel.” Explain the statement in two points.
Ans. Natural gas is used as a source of energy as well as an industrial raw material.
(i) It can be transported easily through pipelines.
(ii) Pipelines have helped in setting up fertilizer plants and power plants on their way.
(iii) Natural gas is a clean source of energy.
(iv) It is an environment–friendly fuel because of the low carbon emission.
Question. Describe any three importance of coal as a source of energy.
Ans. Importance of coal as a source of energy in India are :
(i) Coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India.
(ii) It provides a substantial part of the nation’s energy needs.
(iii) It is used for power generation.
(iv) It supplies energy to the industry as well as for domestic needs.
Question. Why is mica considered the most important mineral in electric and electronic industries? Give three reasons.
OR
How is mica one of the most indispensable minerals? Explain any three points.
Ans. Mica is :
(i) Excellent dielectric in strength and has a low power loss factor.
(ii) It has insulating properties and resistance to high voltage.
(iii) Most indispensable mineral used in electric and electronic industries.
Question. Which are the two main minerals used to obtain nuclear energy? Name any two states where these minerals are found.
Ans. Nuclear or atomic energy is obtained by altering the structure of atoms. When such an alteration is made, much energy is released in the form of heat and this is used to generate electric power.
(i) Uranium and Thorium are used for generating atomic or nuclear power.
(ii) They are available in Jharkhand and Rajasthan.
Question. How is geothermal energy produced? Explain.
Ans. The earth grows progressively hotter with increasing is high, high temperatures are found at shallow depths. Groundwater in such areas absolute hot.
It is so hot that when it rises to the earth’s surface, it drive turbines electricity.
Question. Which are the potential sources of biogas? State any four benefits of biogas.
Ans. Potential sources of biogas are: Shrubs, farm wastes, animal and human wastes, etc.
Four benefits of biogas are :
(i) Its calorific value is high.
(ii) It burns without smoke, causing no pollution.
(iii)It is the cheapest gaseous fuel.
(iv) Its plants provide twin benefits to the farmers in the form of energy and improved quality of manure.
Question. What are the two main ways of generating electricity? How are they different from each other ?
Ans.
Question. Name the non-metallic mineral which can split easily into thin sheets. Mention its uses.
Ans. Mica is the non-metallic mineral which can be split easily into thin sheets.
Its uses:
(i) electric and electronic: Mica is used in industries due to its excellent dielectric strength, low power loss factor, insulating properties and resistance to high voltage.
(ii) Plastic industry uses mica as an extender and filler.
Question. Why is conservation of minerals important? How can we conserve minerals?
Ans. Conservation of minerals is important for the following reasons :
(i) Minerals are exhaustible.
(ii) They are limited.
We can conserve minerals by:
(i) Using minerals properly.
(ii) Improvement in technology so that low grade order can be used profitably.
(iii) By recising and recycling methods.
Question. Describe any three non-conventional sources of energy.
Ans. Non-conventional sources of energy are :
(i) Solar Energy: India is a tropical country. It has enormous possibilities for trapping solar energy. Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity. Solar energy is becoming popular in rural and remote areas.
(ii) Wind Energy: India now ranks as a ‘wind super power’ in the world. The largest wind farm cluster is located in Tamil Nadu from Nagercoil to Madurai. Apart from these, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep have important wind farms. Nagercoil and Jaisalmer are well- known for effective use of wind energy in the country.
(iii) Biogas: Shrubs, farm waste, animal and human waste are used to produce biogas for domestic consumption in rural areas. Biogas plants using cattle dung are known as ‘Gobar Gas Plants’ in rural India. These provide twin benefits to the farmer in the form of energy and improved quality of manure.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question. Which is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India? Assess the important characteristics of its different forms.
Answer : Coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India. Important characteristics of its different forms are (i) Peat Decaying plants in swamps produce peat. ! It is burnt as fuel or applied to the soil to improve the texture or raise its water-retaining property. (ii) Lignite ! It has 60-70% carbon. It is soft and brown in colour, and having high moisture content. ! It is used for electricity generation. ! It has lowest heat content per kg. (iii) Bituminous ! It is used for commercial purpose especially ideal for smelting iron in blast furnaces. ! It has 75-90% carbon content, dense sedimentary rock, usually black in colour and has medium heat content per kg. ! It is also used as making coke. (iv) Anthracite ! It is used in the metal smelting and fabrication industries especially used as a reduction agent for various applications i.e. briquetting charcoal, iron-ore pellets and other uses. ! It has more than 90% carbon content per kg and its heating content per kg is highest. ! It is also used in residential and commercial space heating.
Question. How can biogas solve the energy problem mainly in rural India? Give your suggestion.
Answer : Biogas can solve the energy problem in the rural areas due to the reasons mentioned below (i) It produces gas having higher thermal efficiency than charcoal and kerosene. (ii) It provides a way for optimum utilisation of animal and plant waste. (iii) It produces enriched organic manure that can supplement or even replace chemical fertilisers. (iv) It burns smoothly and does not leave much residue behind. (v) It is easy to produce and store. Some suggestions to improve the biogas energy production in rural areas are given below (i) Government should provide monetary assistance to people in the rural areas to set up biogas plants. (ii) Awareness must be created for using this alternative sources of energy.
Question. What are the major sources of energy in rural households of India? Identify the major problems faced due to these sources. Give suggestions to solve these problems.
Answer : Firewood and cattle dung cake are the major sources of energy in rural household of India. Major problems faced due to these sources are
(i) Using cow dung is discouraged because it consumes most valuable manure which could be used in agriculture.
(ii) Use of firewood as fuel is becoming difficult due to decreasing forest area. Suggestions to solve these problems are
(i) Awareness must be developed in the rural areas regarding the non-conventional sources of energy like solar energy, wind energy, biogas, etc. It will minimise the dependence of rural households on fire wood and dung cakes, which in turn will contribute to environmental conservation and adequate supply of manure in agriculture.
(ii) Government should take initiatives in setting up the biogas plants in rural areas.
Question‘‘Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives.’’ Justify this statement with suitable examples.
Answer : It is true thatminerals are an indispensable part of our lives. This can be understood through the following examples ! Almost everything that we use in our daily life, from a tiny pin to a towering building or a big ship, all are made from minerals. ! The railway lines and the paving of the roads, machinery, implements and tools too are made from minerals. ! Minerals form the basis of all industries. ! Our food contains various minerals that are essential for our body. They are absorbed by the body. ! In conclusion, we can say that in all stages of development, human beings have used minerals for their livelihood, decoration, festivities, religious and ceremonial rites.
Question“Formation of coal is a long drawn process spread over various periods.” Elaborate the statement with examples in Indian context.
Answer : It is true that formation of coal is a long drawn process spread over various periods. Coal is formed due the compression of plant material (containing carbon, the major component of coal) over millions of years. Thus, coal is found in many forms depending on the degrees of compression, the depth and the time of burial. Indian coal was mainly formed during two geological ages the Gondwana and the Tertiary ages. The Gondwana coal deposits (called ‘metallurgical coal’), which are more than 200 million years old, are located in the Damodar valley (West Bengal – Jharkhand), where Jharia, Raniganj and Bokaro are important coal fields. It is also found in the Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha valleys. The tertiary age deposits, only about 55 million years old, are mostly found in North-Eastern India in Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Thus, formation of coal is a long drawn process spread over various periods.
Question. ‘‘Nuclear energy is expected to play an increasingly important role in India.’’ Give arguments to support this statement.
Answer : Nuclear energy is expected to play an increasingly important role in India due to the following reasons (i) India has limited reserves of coal and petroleum. Nuclear energy minerals like Thorium is found in plenty in India. Hence, nuclear energy can compensate for deficiency of fossil fuels. (ii) Nuclear power stations can be established easily and conveniently in those areas where other sources are not available. (iii) Nuclear power releases tremendous amounts of energy. India can utilise this energy for peaceful purposes such as generation of electricity that can be used to run machines in industries. (vi) Nuclear energy is a non-conventional source of energy. After the initial expenses, it becomes very economical.
Question. “Thereisapressingneedforusingrenewable energy sources in India.” Justify the statement.
Answer : There is a growing need for increasing the use of renewable energy sources due to the following reasons
(i) The conventional or non-renewable sources of energy are depleting very fast and we are dependent on imports of petroleum and natural gas to meet our needs.
(ii) Renewableenergysourcesdonotcauseenvironmental pollution with their use and so, to preserve our environment, we must change over to use more of such sources.
(iii) Non-conventional or renewable sourcesof energy are very economical in use as compared to conventional sources. Thus, to save expenses, we should use renewable energy sources. !
Question. “Conservation of minerals is the need of the hour”. Support the statement with five facts.
Ans. Conservation of minerals is the need of the hour :
(i) Minerals are considered to be the backbone of the economy.
(ii) Industry and agriculture depend on mineral deposits.
(iii) The substances manufactured from them also depend on mineral deposits.
(iv) Total volume of workable mineral deposits is very less- only 1% of the earth’s crust.
(v) Mineral resources are being consumed rapidly, and minerals require millions of years to be created and concentrated.
(vi) The geological processes of mineral formation are so slow that the rates of replenishment are infinitely small in comparison to the present rates of consumption.
(vii) Minerals resources are finite and non-renewable.
(viii) The rich mineral deposits of our country are extremely valuable but short-lived possessions.
Question. Explain the importance of conservation of minerals. Highlight any three measures to conserve them.
OR
Why is conservation of mineral resources essential? Explain any three methods to conserve them.
OR
Why is it necessary to conserve mineral resources? Explain any four ways to conserve mineral resources.
OR
Why do we need to conserve mineral resources ?
Ans. Reasons for Conservation :
(i) The strong dependence of industry and agriculture upon minerals.
(ii) The process of mineral formation is slow.
(iii) They are non-renewable.
Methods to Conserve :
(i) Minerals should be used in a planned and sustainable manner.
(ii) Improved technology needs to be constantly evolved to allow the use of low grade ore at low cost.
(iii) Recycling of metals using scrap metals.
(iv) Wastage in mining and processing should be minimised.
(v) Use of scrap metals.
(vi) Use of alternate substitutes.
Question. ‘Energy saved is energy produced’. Assess the statement.
Ans. Energy saved is energy produced:
India is presently one of the least energy efficient countries in the world. We have to adopt a cautious approach for judicious use of our limited energy resources.
For example:
(i) As concerned citizens we can do our bit by using public transport systems instead of individual vehicles.
(ii) Switching off electricity when it is not in use.
(iii) Using power saving devices.
(iv) Using non-conventional sources of energy.
(v) After all “energy saved is energy produced”
Question. Which is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India? Assess the importance of its different forms.
Ans. Abundantly available fossil fuel in India is Coal.
Importance:
(i) Peat has low carbon and high moisture content and low heating capacity.
(ii) Lignite is a low grade brown coal which is soft with high moisture content. It is used for generating electricity.
(iii) Bituminous is the most popular coal of commercial use. It has a special value for smelting iron in blast furnaces.
(iv) Anthracite is the highest quality of hard coal.
Question. Why is energy needed? How can we conserve energy resources? Explain.
Ans. Energy is required for all activities. It is needed to cook, to provide light and heat, to propel vehicles and to drive machinery in industries.
We can conserve energy resources by:
(i) Developing a sustainable path of energy development, i.e., energy development but not at the cost of environment or needs of future generation.
(ii) Judicious use of limited energy resources.
(iii) Wastage of minerals should be minimised.
(iv) Modern technology should be used for the exploitation of energy resources.
(v) Export of energy resources should be minimised.
Question. Which minerals are used to obtain nuclear energy? Name all the six nuclear power stations of India.
Ans. The minerals which are used to obtain this energy are :
(i) Uranium and
(ii) Thorium.
The six nuclear power stations of India are :
(i) Narora nuclear power station
(ii) Kakrapar nuclear power station
(iii) Tarapur nuclear power station
(iv) Kaiga nuclear power station
(v) Kalpakkam nuclear power station
(vi) Rawat Bhata nuclear power station
Question. “Minerals are indispensable part of our lives’. Support the statement with examples.
Ans. Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives :
(i) Almost everything we use, from a tiny pin to a towering building or a big ship, all are made from minerals.
(ii) The railway lines and the tarmac (paving) of the roads, our implements and machinery too are made from minerals.
(iii) Cars, buses, trains, aeroplanes are manufactured from minerals and run on power resources derived from the earth.
(iv) Even the food that we eat contains minerals.
(v) In all stages of development, human beings have used minerals for their livelihood, decoration, festivities, religious and ceremonial rites.
Question. Highlight the importance of petroleum. Explain the occurrence of petroleum in India.
Ans. Importance of Petroleum :
(i) Petroleum is the major energy source in India.
(ii) Provides fuel for heat and lighting.
(iii) Provides lubricant for machinery.
(iv) Provides raw material for a number of manufacturing industries.
(v) Petroleum refineries act as nodal industry for synthetic, textile, fertilizer and chemical industries.
Its occurrence :
(i) Most of the petroleum occurrences in India are associated with anticlines and fault traps.
(ii) In regions of folding, anticline or domes, it occurs where oil is trapped in the crest of the up fold.
(iii) Petroleum is also found in fault traps between porous and non-porous rocks.
Question. “There is a pressing need for using renewable energy sources in India.” Justify the statement.
OR
Why should we use renewable energy resources? Explain with arguments.
Ans. The use of renewable sources of energy is necessary :
The growing consumption of energy in the country has made us dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. Rising prices of oil and gas has eroded our foreign currency reserves. Shortages in the supply of oil, gas and coal have increased uncertainties about the security of energy supply in the future. The growth of the national economy is getting hampered by it. Moreover, increasing use of fossil fuels also causes serious environment problems. Non-convectional source of energy are available in abundant. They are also renewable.
