JNV Kozhikode

Study Material for Class 8 Science

Chapter 5 Coal & Petroleum
1. Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources with examples.
Renewable resources are those resources which are replenished through rapid natural
cycles.Eg: air,water,sunlight,soil,forest
Non-renewable resources are those resources which are not replenished through rapid
natural cycles.Eg: coal,petroleum,natural gases,metals

2. Distinguish between exhaustible and inexhaustible resources with examples.

Inexhaustible resources are those resources which are present in unlimited quantity in
nature and are not likely to be exhausted by normal human activities. Eg: sunlight,
air,water
Exhaustible resources are those resources whose amount in nature is limited. They can
be exhausted by human activities. Eg: forests,wildlife, minerals, coal, petroleum,
natural gas etc.
3. Explain the formation of coal.
When about 300 million years ago dense forests in low lying wetland areas got buried
under the soil due to natural processes, like flooding and earthquake and more soil
deposited over them, they were compressed. The temperature also rose as they sank
deeper and deeper. Under high pressure and high temperature, dead plants got slowly
converted to coal.
4. What is carbonisation ?
The natural process of conversion of dead vegetation into coal under high temperature
and pressure is called carbonisation.
5. Why is coal called a fossil fuel?
Since coal was formed from the remains of vegetation buried in the soil millions of
years back, coal is called a fossil fuel.
6. Name the Indian states where coal mines are located .
Bihar,Madhya Pradesh,Orissa,West Bengal,Karnataka
7. Name the different types of coal
The different types of coal are : peat,lignite,bituminous coal,anthracite
8. What are the uses of coal ?
The uses of coal are :
i) As a fuel
ii) For the manufacture of industrial fuels like water gas and producer gas
iii) Manufacture of coke
iv) For the manufacture of synthetic petrol and synthetic natural gas.
v) Coal tar which is a product of the destructive distillation of coal is used for the
manufacture of organic compounds such as benzene, xylene, naphthalene,
aniline, quinoline, phenols, naphthols etc.
vi) The organic compounds obtained from the products of coal are used for the
manufacture of dyes,explosives,synthetic fibres,polymers,drugs,pesticides etc.
9. What is destructive distillation of coal ?
 The strong heating of coal in a closed container in the absence of air is called
destructive distillation of coal.
10. Name the products of destructive distillation of coal ?
Coal gas, ammoniacal liquor, coal tar and coke are the products of destructive
distillation of coal.
11. State the composition and uses of coal gas
The composition of coal gas is hydrogen, methane and carbon monoxide.
Uses of coal gas : as an excellent fuel coal gas is used for lighting purpose, as a
cooking fuel. It is also used as an industrial fuel
12. What are the uses of coal tar
i) Coal tar is used for the manufacture of organic compounds such as benzene
xylene naphthalene aniline,quinoline phenols,naphthols etc.
ii) The organic compounds obtained from the products of coal are used for the
manufacture of dyes,explosives,synthetic fibres,
polymers,drugs,pesticides,perfumes, plastics,paints, photographic materials,
roofing materials,etc.
13. What is coke ?
It is a tough, porous and black substance left behind during the destructive
distillation of coal. It is almost pure form of carbon.
14. What are the uses of coke ?
i) Coke is a good fuel
ii) Coke is used as a reducing agent in the manufacture of iron
iii) Coke is used for making fuel gas and producer gas.
iv) Coke is used to manufacture calcium carbide which is the starting material for
many compounds such as acetylene,acetic acid,PVC etc.
15. Describe the formation of petroleum .
Petroleum was formed from organisms living in the sea. As these organisms died,
their bodies settled at the bottom of the sea and got covered with layers of sand
and clay. Over millions of years, absence of air, high temperature and high pressure
transformed the dead organisms into petroleum and natural gas.
16. Name the places in India where petroleum is being extracted.
a. Ankaleswar and kalol in Gujarat
b. Rudrasagar and Lakwa in Assam
c. Offshore deltas of Godavari and Kaveri
d. Bombay high offshore areas
17. Name the government agencies which are involved in the exploration and production
of petroleum oil in India.
a. Oil and natural Gas Commission(ONGC)
b. Oil India Limited(OIL)
18. What do you mean by refining of petroleum?
The continuous fractional distillation of crude oil into different useful fractions and
the removal of undesirable impurities is called refining or processing of petroleum.
19. Name the fractions of petroleum and their uses.
The fractions of petroleum and their uses are :
Sl No Fractions Uses
1 Petroleum gas Gaseous fuel,LPG,production of
carbon black and carbon monoxide
 to make ammonia and methanol,
2 Kerosene House hold fuel, illumination fuel,
jet fuel
3 Diesel To run motor vehicles,trains and
diesel generators for production of
electricity
4 Lubricating oil Lubrication of machinery
5 Paraffin wax Candles,water proofing, Vaseline,
fabrics
6 Asphalt For road tarring, water proofing of
roof

20. Why is petroleum called ‘Black Gold?

Due to its great commercial importance, petroleum is called ‘black gold’.
21. What is CNG ? What are its uses ?
Natural gas is stored under high pressure as compressed natural gas (CNG). CNG is
used for power generation. It is now being used as a fuel for transport vehicles
because it is less polluting.
22. What is the importance of CNG ?
The great advantage of CNG is that it can be used directly for burning in homes and
factories where it can be supplied through pipes.
23. What are the uses of natural gas ?
a. As a fuel for motor vehicle.
b. For the manufacture of a number of chemicals and fertilizers
24. Where are the reserves of natural gases located in India ?
The natural gas reserves in India are found in Tripura, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and
in the Krishna Godavari delta.
25. What is PCRA ? What are the tips given by PCRA to save diesel/ petrol while driving ?
PCRA is Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA)
PCRA advises people how to save petrol/diesel while driving.
Their tips are:
o Drive at a constant and moderate speed as far as possible,
o Switch off the engine at traffic lights or at a place where you have to wait,
o Ensure correct tyre pressure,
o Ensure regular maintenance of the vehicle.