Minerals and Energy Resources Important Questions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 5

Section-C (3 Marks)

24. Mention any three characteristics of ferrous group of minerals found in India.
Ans. Metallic minerals that have iron in them are called ferrous minerals. For example, iron ore, manganese, nickel, cobalt etc.

Three characteristics of ferrous group of minerals found in India are:

1. Ferrous minerals account for about three fourths of the total value of the production of metallic minerals.

2. They provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical industries.

3. India exports substantial quantities of ferrous minerals to Japan and South Korea after meeting her internal demands.

25. Why is there a pressing need to use non-conventional sources of energy in India? Explain any three reasons.
Ans.

1. The growing consumption of energy has resulted in India becoming increasingly dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas which are found in limited quantities on the earth.

2. Rising prices of oil and gas and their potential shortages have raised uncertainties about the security of energy supply in future, which in turn has serious repercussions on the growth of the national economy.

3. Increasing use of fossil fuels also causes serious environmental degradation like air pollution, water pollution etc. So there is an urgent need to use sustainable energy resources like solar, water, wind, tide biomass etc.

26. What are the two main ways of generating electricity? How are they different from each other? Explain.
Ans. Electricity is generated mainly in two ways:

1. By running water which drives hydro turbines to generate hydroelectricity.

2. By burning other fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas to drive turbines to produce thermal power.

27. “Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives.” Comment.
Ans. Almost everything we use, from a tiny pin to a towering building or a ship, all are made from minerals. All means of transport are manufactured from minerals and run on power resources derived from the earth. Even the food that we eat contains minerals. Human beings have used minerals for their livelihood, decorations, festivities and in all stages of development.

28. Mention any three major iron-ore belts of India. Write any three characteristics of the southern most iron-ore belt.
Ans. The three major iron-ore belts of India are as follows:

1. Orissa-Jharkhand belt.

2. Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

3. Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmaglur-Tumkur belt in Karnataka.

4. Maharashtra-Goa belt.

Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmaglur-Tumkur belt is the southernmost iron-ore belt.
Characteristics:

• This belt in Karnataka has large reserves of iron-ore.

• Kudremukh mines in the Western Ghats are known to be one of the largest in the world.

• Kudremukh is a 100 per cent export unit and the ore is transported as slurry through a pipeline to a port near Mangalore.

29. Classify energy resources into two categories. Give two examples of each.
Ans. Energy resources can be classified as conventional and non-conventional sources.

• Conventional sources include—firewood, cattle-dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc.

• Non-conventional sources include—solar, wind, tidal, geothermal energy and biogas.

30. Differentiate between metallic and non-metallic minerals with examples.

31. Differentiate between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals with examples.

Ferrous minerals:

1. Ferrous minerals account for about three-fourths of the total value of the production of metallic minerals.

2. They provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical industries.

3. India exports substantial quantities of ferrous minerals to Japan and South Korea after meeting her internal demands.

Non-ferrous minerals:

1. India’s reserves and production of non-ferrous minerals is not very satisfactory.

2. Non-ferrous minerals include copper, bauxite, lead, zinc and gold.

3. They provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical, engineering and electrical industries.

4. Non-ferrous minerals like copper and bauxite are mainly found in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, respectively.

32. Explain the use of petroleum as an energy resource and as an industrial raw material.

Ans. The use of petroleum as a source of energy:

1. It is used as a fuel for internal combustion engines in automobiles.

2. It is used as a fuel for railways and aircrafts.

3. It provides fuel for heat and lighting.

The use of petroleum as an industrial raw material:

1. It is used as lubricant for machinery.

2. It is used as raw material for a number of manufacturing industries, for example, chemical industry.

3. Its numerous by-products are used in petrochemical industries such as fertilizer, synthetic rubber, synthetic fibre, medicines, vaseline wax, soap, cosmetics etc.
   
   

33. Distinguish between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy.

34. Explain any three steps to be taken to conserve the energy resources.
Ans.

1. We need to develop a sustainable path of energy development, i.e., increased use of renewable or non-conventional energy resources.

2. We have to adopt a cautious approach for the judicious use of our limited energy resources.

3. As concerned citizens we can do our bit by using public transport systems instead of individual vehicles, switching off electricity when not in use, using power saving devices etc.
   
   

35. What is the use of manganese? Name the largest manganese-ore producing state of India.
Ans. Manganese is mainly used in the manufacturing of the following items:

1. Steel (nearly 10 kg of manganese is required to manufacture 1 tonne of steel).

2. Ferro-manganese alloy

3. Bleaching powder

4. Insecticides and paints

Odisha (Orissa) is the largest producer of manganese-ore in India.

36. Why is energy required for all activities? How can energy be generated? Explain.

Ans. Energy is needed to cook, to provide light and heat, to propel vehicles and to drive machinery in industries. Energy is a basic requirement for economic development. Every sector of the national economy—agriculture, industry and transport—commercial and domestic needs inputs of energy. Energy can be generated from fuel minerals like coal, petroleum, natural gas, uranium and from electricity. Conventional sources like firewood and cattle dung cakes are most commonly used in rural India to generate energy.

37. ‘Environmental degradation has been seen everywhere.’ Explain any three values that can help to prevent environmental degradation.
Ans. Three values that can help to prevent Environmental Degradation:

1. We must ensure sustainable and equitable use of resources without degrading the environment or risking health or safety.

2. We must raise awareness and consciousness among people about the importance of judicious use of resources to prevent degradation of land, water, vegetation and air.

3. The following measures must be adopted to prevent environmental degradation:

• Minimising use of water for processing by reusing and recycling it.

• Smoke can be reduced by using oil or gas instead of coal in factories.

• Almost all machinery can be redesigned to increase energy efficiency and reduce noise.
  
  

Section-D (5 Marks)

38. Which is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India? Mention its different forms.
Ans. The most abundantly available fossil fuel is Coal. There are four types of coal:

1. Anthracite: It is the highest quality hard coal. It contains more than 80% carbon content. It gives less smoke.

2. Bituminous: It is the most popular coal in commercial use and has 60-80% carbon content. Metallurgical coal is high grade bituminous coal and is of special value for smelting iron in blast furnaces.

3. Lignite: It is a low-grade brown coal. It is soft with high moisture content.

4. Peat: It has a low carbon and high moisture content. It has low heating capacity and gives lot of smoke on burning.
   
   

39. How is mining activity injurious to the health of the miners and the environment? Explain.
Ans. Adverse effect on health: The dust and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases. The risk of collapsing mine roofs, inundation and fires in coal mines are a constant threat to miners.

Adverse effects on the environment: The water sources in the region are contaminated due to mining. Dumping of slurry and waste leads to degradation of land, soil and an increase in stream and river pollution. Stricter safety regulations and implementation of environmental laws are essential to prevent mining from becoming a ‘killer industry’.

40. In the present-day energy crisis, what steps would you like to take for saving energy?
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.

1. Energy is the basic requirement for economic development.

2. Every sector of the national economy – agriculture, industry, transport and commerce needs greater inputs of energy.

3. In the domestic sector also, energy demands, in the form of electricity, are growing because of increasing use of electrical gadgets and appliances.
   
   

We have to adopt a cautious approach for the judicious use of our limited energy resources. So conservation of energy should be done at all levels. Increased use of renewable energy resources, e.g., solar energy, hydel power, etc.

We, as concerned citizens can help conserve energy in the following ways:

1. Using more of the public transport system instead of individual vehicles.

2. Switching off electrical devices when not in use.

3. Using power saving devices.

4. Using non-conventional sources of energy such as solar energy, wind energy etc.

5. Getting the power equipment regularly checked to detect damages and leakages.

41. How can solar energy solve the energy problem to some extent in India? Give your opinion.

Or

Why does solar energy have a bright future in India?
Ans. Reasons:

1. India is a tropical country and gets abundant sunshine.

2. It has enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy.

3. It is an inexhaustible source of energy which is freely available in nature.

4. It is a cheaper source of energy and is fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas.

5. Photovoltaic technology is available which converts sunlight directly into electricity.

6. Because of its abundant and free availability in all parts of India in addition to its eco-friendly nature, solar energy is called the energy of the future.
   
   

Also use of solar energy will minimise the dependence of rural households on firewood. It will contribute to environmental conservation and reduce pressure on conventional sources of energy.

42. ‘Consumption of energy in all forms has been rising all over the country. There is an urgent need to develop a sustainable path of energy development and energy saving. Suggest and explain any three measures to solve this burning problem.
Ans. Every sector of the national economy—agriculture, industry, transport, (commercial and domestic), needs greater inputs of energy. With increasing population and changing lifestyles energy consumption is increasing very fast. We are not self-sufficient in energy according to demands. Therefore we have to adopt a cautious approach for the judicious use of our limited resources. Conservation of energy should be done at all levels.

Three measures to reduce consumption of energy in all forms:

1. We can do our bit by using public transport systems instead of individual vehicles.

2. Switching off electricity when not in use.

3. Using power saving devices or using non-conventional sources of energy such as solar energy, wind energy etc.

4. Checking the power equipments regularly can help in saving energy.
   
   

43. What are the main types of formations in which minerals occur?
Ans. Minerals generally occur in the following forms:

1. Veins and lodes: In igneous and metamorphic rocks minerals may occur in the cracks, faults or joints by getting solidified in them. The smaller occurrences are called veins and the larger lodes, eg., metallic minerals like tin, copper, zinc and lead etc. are found in lodes and veins.

2. In sedimentary rocks: Minerals occur in beds or layers. They are formed as a result of deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata. Some sedimentary minerals are formed as a result of evaporation, especially in arid regions eg., gypsum, potash and salt.

3. Residual deposits: Another mode of formation involves decomposition of surface rocks and the removal of soluble contents, leaving a residual mass of weathered material containing ores. Bauxite is formed this way

4. Placer deposits: Certain minerals occur as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors and the base of hills, eg., gold, silver, tin and platinum. These are called placer deposits and contain minerals which are not corroded by water.

5. Ocean waters: Ocean waters contain vast quantities of minerals, eg., common salt, magnesium and bromide are largely derived from the ocean waters. The ocean beds are rich in manganese nodules.
   
   

44. Why is there a pressing need to use renewable energy resources in India? Explain any five reasons.
Ans.

1. The growing consumption of energy has resulted in India becoming increasingly dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas which are found in limited quantities on the earth. So there is an urgent need to use sustainable energy resources like solar, water, wind etc.

2. Rising prices of oil and gas and their potential shortages have raised uncertainties about the security of energy supply in future, which in turn has serious repercussions on the growth of the national econom

3. Increasing use of fossil fuels also causes serious environmental degradation like air pollution, water pollution etc.

4. Renewable sources of energy are pollution free and do not cause harm to ozone, therefore they are eco-friendly.

5. They are a cheaper source and are freely and abundantly available in nature.
   
   

45. How is energy a basic requirement for the economic development of the country? Explain with examples.
Ans. Reasons:

• Energy is the basic requirement for economic development

• Every sector of national economy–agriculture, industry, transport and commerce needs greater inputs of energy.

• In the domestic sector also, energy demands, in the form of electricity, are growing because of increasing use of electric gadgets and appliances.

• The economic development plans implemented since independence necessarily required increasing amounts of energy.

• Because of all these, per capita consumption of energy is continuously increasing.
  
  

46. Why is it necessary to conserve mineral resources? Suggest any four ways to conserve mineral resources.
Ans. Conservation of minerals is necessary because of the following reasons:

1. The formation of minerals takes a long geological period of millions of years.

2. They are finite, i.e., limited in nature

3. Many of them are non-renewable and exhaustible.

4. The rate of replenishment of minerals is infinitely small in comparison to the rate of consumption.

5. They have to be preserved for our future generations because they are very important for the industrial development of the nation.
   
   

Ways to mineral conservation:

1. We should use minerals in a planned and sustainable manner.

2. Improved technologies need to be evolved to allow use of low grade ores at low cost.

3. Recycling of metals should be done.

4. Using scrap metals and other substitutes should be promoted.

5. Wastages in mining, processing and distribution should be minimized.

6. Controlled export of minerals should be undertaken.

47. “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 conserve energy?
Ans. Two broad measures to develop a sustainable path of energy development are:

1. We have to adopt a cautious approach for the judicious use of our limited energy resources. So conservation of energy should be done at all levels.

2. Increased use of renewable energy resources, e.g., solar energy, hydel power, etc.

Concerned citizens can help conserve energy in the following ways:

• Using more of the public transport system instead of individual vehicles.

• Switching off electricity when not in use.

• Using power saving devices.

• Using non-conventional sources of energy such as solar energy, wind energy etc.

• Getting the power equipment regularly checked to detect damages and leakages.
  
  

Section-E (4 Marks)

48. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
Minerals have played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian economy for centuries. India is a mineral-rich country with vast reserves of coal, iron ore, bauxite, and other essential minerals. These resources have been the backbone of various industries, including steel, cement, and power generation. However, challenges like illegal mining, environmental concerns, rat hole mining, and resource depletion need to be addressed. The Indian government has undertaken reforms to promote sustainable mining practices, attract foreign investment, and reduce import dependency. With prudent management and responsible extraction, India’s mineral wealth can continue to boost economic growth, infrastructure development, and job creation in the country.

(i) Define minerals and elaborate how rocks and minerals are related to each other?
Ans. Mineral as a “homogenous, naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure. Rocks are combinations of homogeneous substances called minerals. Some rocks, for instance limestone, consist of a single mineral only, but the majority of the rock consist of several minerals in varying proportions.

(ii) What do you mean by the term Rat Hole mining?
Ans. In Meghalaya, there are large deposits of coal, iron ore, limestone and dolomite etc. Coal mining in Jowai and Cherapunjee is done by family members in the form of a long narrow tunnel, known as ‘Rat hole’ mining.

(iii) What are the various forms in which minerals occur?
Ans. In igneous and metamorphic rocks minerals may occur in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints. In sedimentary rocks a number of minerals occur in beds or layers. Another mode of formation involves the decomposition of surface rocks, and the removal of soluble constituents, leaving a residual mass of weathered material containing ores.

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