SOURCES OF ENERGY

1. List two nutrients that the slurry left behind in the biogas plant contain.
Answer. Nitrogen and phosphorous.
2. Biogas is also known as gobar gas. Justify.
Answer. Starting material for biogas is mainly cow dung. So, it is also known as gobar gas.
3. List two practical uses of biogas in rural areas.
Answer. Practical uses of biogas in rural area are:
1. It is an excellent fuel which burns without smoke with high heating capacity.
2. It is also used for lighting.
4. Name any two fossil fuels.
Ans. A good fuel is the one which
 has high calorific value,
 is non-polluting,
 is easy to transport and easily available,
 has moderate ignition temperature.
5. What is acid rain?
Answer. Acid rain: The rain containing the acidic oxides such as oxides of carbon, nitrogen and
sulphur.
6. Name one fuel used in nuclear reactor.
Answer. Uranium-235.
7. Name any two elements that are used in fabricating solar cells.
Answer. Germanium, Silicon.
8. Name the reaction responsible for large energy production in the sun.
Answer. Nuclear fusion.
9. Write the name of the substance whose vapours are used to run the turbine of the generator
of ocean thermal energy plant.
Answer. Ammonia.
10. Mention the minimum temperature difference required between surface water and water at
a depth of upto 2 km in an ocean thermal energy plant.
Answer. 20 °C or 293 K in trapping geothermal energy
11. Name the part of a biogas plant where reactions take place in the absence of oxygen.
Answer. Digester chamber.
12. Name the kind of energy possessed by wind and the device used to harness it.
Answer. Kinetic energy, wind mill.
13. List two non-conventional sources of energy.
Answer. Geothermal, solar, biomass, water, wind are the non-conventional sources of energy,
(any two)
14. A black surface absorbs more heat radiations as compared to a white or a
reflecting surface under identical conditions. List two solar devices which make use of this
property in their design.
Answer. Solar cooker, solar water heater.
15. Name any two elements that are used in fabricating solar cells.
Answer. Germanium, Silicon.
16. Bio gas is considered to be a boon to the farmers. Give reasons.
Answer.
1. It is the source of excellent manure, rich in nitrogen and phosphorous which
can be obtained from the biogas plant in addition to biogas.
2. It provides the safe, efficient and profitable disposal method for bio-waste and sewage
material.
17. Why a solar cooker painted black form outside?
Answer. Black surface absorbs more heat as compared to white or reflecting surface under
identical conditions.
18. Define fuel. List any two characteristics that you would look for in a good fuel.
Answer. A substance that produces useful energy when it burn or undergoes a chemical f or
nuclear reaction. The fuel such as coal, wood, oil, or gas provides energy when burned. A good
fuel is the one which produces a huge amount of heat on burning. It does not produce a lot of
smoke and is easily available.
19. State any three reasons to justify that LPG is considered as an ideal fuel.
Answer. LPG is considered as an ideal fuel because
It is easy to store, handle and transport.
It produces large amount of heat on burning.
It does not leave any residue on burning,
20. State any three advantages of charcoal over wood.
Answer. Advantages of charcoal over wood
It has higher calorific value, i.e. higher heat generating efficiency.
Charcoal does not produce smoke on burning so it is a clean fuel.
It is easier to transport and ready to use in a convenient dry and broken-up form.
21. Mention the purpose of blackening the interior of a solar cooker.
Answer. The purpose of blackening the interior of a solar cooker is that the black surface absorbs
more heat radiations of incident solar energy (about 98%) as compare to white or other light
coloured surface
22. Why do people oppose the construction of Tehri Dam on the river Ganga and Sardar
sarover project on the river Narmada. (Or)
Mention three disadvantage of producing hydroelectricity by constructing the dams.(Or)
List any three ways in which construction of dams for production of electricity adversely
affects the environment of that place.
Answer.
1. Large area is required to build the dam that result rehabilitation of displaced people.
2. Large eco-systems are destroyed when submerged under the water in dams.
3. The vegetation which is submerged rots under anaerobic conditions and gives rise to large
amounts of methane gas which leads to a green-house effect.

23. Bio gas is an excellent fuel. Justify the statement by giving two reasons. Mention the main
constituents of bio gas along with its percentage.
Answer.
(i) It burns without smoke and leave no residue therefore causes no atmospheric pollution.
(ii)Its heating capacity is high, i.e. it has high calorific value. Main constituents of bio gas: The
composition of bio gas varies depending upon the nature of organic matter feeding in’the digester
and advanced waste treatment technology. The typical composition of bio gas is
Methane 50 – 75%
Carbon dioxide 25 – 50%
Nitrogen 0 – 10%
Hydrogen 0 – 1%
Hydrogen sulphide 0 – 3%

24. (a) Define tidal energy.

(b) Explain how the tidal energy is harnessed and write one limitation of the use of tidal
energy.
Answer.
(a) Tidal energy: The energy produced by the surge of ocean water during high and low tides due
to difference in sea-levels is called tidal energy. The high and low tides occur due to the
gravitational pull of the moon. This causes enormous movement of water.
(b) Tidal energy is harnessed by constructing a dam near the shores. During the high tides water
flows into the dam and during the low tides, water flows out. This flowing water rotates the
turbine, present at the opening of the dam and produces electricity.
25. Define process of nuclear fission. Writ the steps involved in generating electricity in a
nuclear reactor.
Answer. Nuclear Fission: The process in which a heavy nucleus (such as uranium, plutonium or
thorium) is broken into two nearly equal fragments when bombarded with low-energy neutrons
and a tremendous amount of energy is released. This process is called nuclear fission.
Steps involved in generating electricity:
1. The fuel rods full of uranium pellets are placed in a nuclear reactor chamber.
2. Low-energy neutrons are bombarded on uranium fuel rod.
3. A self-sustaining fission chain reaction starts that releases energy at a controlled rate.
4. With this heat the reactor converts water to steam at a high temperature and pressure.
5. This high temperature and pressure steam spins generator turbines producing electricity.
6. The steam cools back into water, which can then be used over again.

26. Solar cooker takes more time as compared to the LPG to boil potato or rice, yet Kunal uses
solar cooker for such type of cooking:
(i) Why does Kunal uses Solar cooker instead of LPG? Give reasons for your Answer.
(ii) Name the phenomenon which is responsible for obtaining high temperature in solar
cooker.
Answer.
(a)(i) There are no energy losses while cooking on the solar cooker as the food gets cooked in a
controlled environment whereas cooking on the LPG leads to maximum percentage of energy
loss.
(ii) Temperature controlled cooking retains the nutrient value of the food.
(iii) Using the solar cooker, LPG can be served which result reduction in the emission of CO2.
(iv) It saves a lot of prestigious time which is normally consumed for cooking purpose.
(b) Greenhouse effect.

27. Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy. Also give an example
of each of these sources.
Answer.

Renewable Source of Energy Non-renewable Source of Energy

(i) They are constantly supplied by nature (i) They do not renew or regenerate and are
and are inexhaustible. exhaustible.
(ii) Low cost of operation. (ii) High cost of operation.
(iii) They produce little or no pollutants. (iii) They produce a lot of pollutants, e.g.
Thus minimum impact on environment, coal, petroleum, etc.
e.g. wind energy, solar energy.

28. State the principle of working of ocean thermal energy conversion plant.
Explain how the plant works? Write one essential condition for it to operate
properly.
Answer. Principle of working of OTEC: The water at the surface of the ocean is warmer
than the water at deeper depths. This temperature difference can be used by
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems to generate electricity.
Working of OTEC:
 In OTEC plant, the energy of warm surface water is used to convert low i boiling point liquid
ammonia into gaseous state.
 The vapour of ammonia at high pressure is used to spin the turbines of generators converting
the Ocean thermal energy to electricity.
  The used vapour pass through the condenser where cold water, pumped from the deeper parts
of ocean condenses ammonia vapour back into a liquid.
 This process is repeated again and again ,to get continuous production of electricity.
Essential condition for it to operate properly: The temperature difference between the warmer
water at the surface and colder water at depths up to 2 km should be 293 K (20°C) or more.

29. Mention why is it not possible to make use of solar cells to meet all our energy needs? State
three reasons to support your Answer. Also mention three uses of solar cells.
Answer. It is not possible to make use of solar cells to meet all our energy needs because:
(i) of limited availability of special grade semiconducting materials such as silicon and
germanium.
(ii)solar cells have lower efficiency as they depend entirely on intensity of solar radiation.
(iii) the process of manufacturing of solar cells is very expensive, silver used for interconnection
of cells in the panel further adds to the cost.
Uses of solar cells:
(i) They provide electric power to satellites and space probes.
(ii) They provide electric power to off-shore drilling platforms and light houses.
(iii) TV relay stations or wireless transmission systems located in remote areas use solar panels to
get electric power.
30. What are the advantages of nuclear energy?
Answer. Advantages of nuclear energy are:
 A small quantity of nuclear fuel is needed to produce a large amount of useful energy.
 Nuclear power plant produces less atmospheric pollution than thermal power plants, if the
nuclear fission reaction is performed properly.
 Small amount of nuclear fuel can run a nuclear power plant over a long period of time.
There is no need of inserting the nuclear fuel in the nuclear reactor again and again in a
short period as in case of thermal power plant.
31. What is a solar cell panel? Mention any three of its applications.
Answer. A large number of solar cells combined in an arrangement to obtain large electrical
power is called solar cell panel.
Applications of solar cell panel are:
It provides the electric power for the:
 working of artificial satellites stationed in outer space,
 running of irrigation water pumps by the farmers in rural areas,
 street lighting in remote areas.
32. Out of two solar cookers, one was covered with a plane glass slab and the other was left
open. Which of the two solar cookers will be more efficient and why?
Answer. The solar cooker which was covered with a plane glass slab would be more efficient.
The glass lid allows the heat radiation from sun to enter the solar cooker but does not allow the
reflected heat radiation to escape or go outside the box. Thus, heat trapped inside the box
increases the temperature. Glass lid also reduces heat loss due to reflection.
33. List any three hazards of nuclear waste. How does the disposal of nuclear waste pose a
problem for the plant and animal life?
Answer. Hazards of nuclear wastes are:
i) Nuclear waste contains radioactive substances which emit harmful nuclear radiations.
ii) There is a high risk of environmental contamination.
iii) It is highly toxic.
Effect of nuclear waste on plant and animal life is:
The radiations emitted from the nuclear waste penetrate deep inside the human or animal
body where they can damage biological cells thereby initiate cancer or causes genetic
disease.
Increased mortality of plants, soil invertebrates and mammals and reproductive losses in
plants and animals have also been observed.
34. (a) Charcoal is a better fuel than wood. Why? .
(b) How does biogas plant help to reduce the problem of pollution?
Answer.
(a) Charcoal is considered to be a better fuel than wood because:
i) It burns without flames.
ii) It is comparatively smokeless.
iii) It has higher calorific value, i.e. higher heat generating efficiency than wood.
(b) Biogas plant helps to reduce the problem of pollution in the following ways.
i) It provides better sanitation due to safe disposal of bio-waste and sewage material.
ii) Biogas obtained from this plant produces less smoke on burning. (Hi) The residue left can
be used as a manure which can be used as an alternative
of fertilizers. Thus, it prevents soil and water from degradation.
35. (a) What is geothermal energy?
(b) What are the advantages of wind energy?
Answer.
(a) The heat energy obtained from the molten rocks formed in the deeper hot regions inside the
earth are called geothermal energy.
(b) Advantages of wind energy are:
a) It is an inexhaustible source of energy.
b) It does not cause any environmental pollution.
c) It is available at free of cost.
36. (a) How does construction of dams across the river get linked with production of greenhouse
gases?
(b) How do technological inputs improve the efficiency of biomass fuels?
Answer.
(a) A vast variety of plants get submerged in water, rot under anaerobic conditions and produce
large amount of greenhouse gases such as methane.
(b) Traditional uses of biomass fuels are not only efficient but they also produce a lot of pollutants
which are hazardous to health. Therefore, technological inputs are necessary to improve the
efficiency of these fuels and make them environment friendly. With the help of technology,
smokeless chulhas and biogas plants have been designed.
37. Mention any four limitations in harnessing wind energy on a large scale.
Answer. Limitations in harnessing wind energy are:
a) Speed of wind is not available at all time and at all places.
b) To establish the wind energy farm, a large area of land is needed.
c) Speed of wind should be higher than 15 km/h to harness the wind energy.
d) Construction of windmill and its installation is very expensive.
38. What happens when wood is burnt in a limited supply of oxygen? Name the residue left
behind after the reaction and state two advantages of using this residue as a fuel over wood.
Answer. When wood is burnt in a limited supply of oxygen, volatile materials present in it get
removed and cooled to get wood tar and wood gas.
The black residue left behind aftqr the reaction is known as charcoal. Advantages of using
charcoal as a fuel over wood are:
Burning of charcoal does not produce smoke. On the other hand, wood produces a lot of smoke
on burning.
For a given quantity, charcoal produces ,more heat than wood.
39. Name four gases commonly present in biogas. State two advantages of using this gas over
fossil fuels.
Answer. Methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and hydrogen sulphide.
Advantages of using biogas over fossil fuels are:
Biogas burns without smoke, leaves no residue unlike coal.
Biogas is cheaper as compared to fossil fuels.
40. How are the wastes produced in nuclear power plants different from those produced in a
thermal power plants ? What happens to the waste of a nuclear power plant?
Answer.The waste obtained from nuclear power plants is highly radioactive in nature which
emits harmful radiations, whereas waste produced in a thermal power plant is non-radioactive.
Management of nuclear waste is given as follows:
Some products of nuclear waste are buried in sealed steel/lead containers for a long term storage,
buried under the ground or dumped in vacated coal mines.
Other waste products transforms into less harmful products or to products with a shorter half life.
41. In a solar cooker, the following arrangements are made. Write one function of each
arrangement.
(a) The box is made of insulating material such as plastic or wood.
(b) The inner walls of the box are painted black.
(c) The box is covered with a transparent glass sheet.
(d) A plane mirror is hinged at an angle at the top of the box.
Answer.
(a) To avoid loss of heat from solar cooker to the surroundings.
(b) Black surface absorbs more heat radiations of incident energy.
(c) Transparent glass sheet does not allow the reflected heat radiation to go outside the box.
(d) To increase the amount of solar energy incident on the transparent glass sheet.
42. Describe how hydro energy can be converted into electrical energy. Write any
two limitations of hydro energy.
Answer. Conversion of hydro energy into electrical energy
 High rise dams are constructed on the river to obstruct the flow of water to collect it at a
suitable height. The stored water has a lot of potential energy.
 The water from a suitable height is allowed to fall on the blades of a turbine located at the
bottom of a dam through a pipe.
 Kinetic energy of flowing water rotates the turbine rapidly. Rotation of turbine helps the
armature coil of generator to rotate rapidly in the magnetic field. Thus, hydroelectricity is
generated.
Limitations of hydro energy:
(i) All river-sites are not suitable for construction of dams.
(ii) Large ecosystems are destroyed when submerged under the water in dam.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS [1 Mark]

1. Which of the following is a non-renewable source of energy?

(a) Wood
(b) Sun
(c) Fossil fuels
(d) Wind

2. Acid rain happens because

(a) sun leads to heating of upper layer of atmosphere
(b) burning of fossil fuels release oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur in the atmosphere
(c) electrical charges are produced due to friction amongst clouds
(d) earth atmosphere contains acids

3. Fuel used in thermal power plants is

(a) water (b) uranium (c) biomass (d) fossil fuels
4. In a hydro power plant
(a) Potential energy possessed by stored water is converted into electricity
(b) Kinetic energy possessed by stored water is converted into potential energy
(c) Electricity is extracted from water
(d) Water is converted into steam to produce electricity

5. Which is the ultimate source of energy?

(a) Water (b) Sun (c) Uranium (d) Fossil fuels

6. Which one of the following forms of energy leads to least environmental pollution in the process
of its harnessing and utilisation?
(a) Nuclear energy (b) Thermal energy (c) Solar energy (d) Geothermal energy

7. Ocean thermal energy is due to

(a) energy stored by waves in the ocean
(b) temperature difference at different levels in the ocean
(c) pressure difference at different levels in the ocean
(d) tides arising out in the ocean

8. The major problem in harnessing nuclear energy is how to

(a) split nuclei?
(b) sustain the reaction?
(c) dispose off spent fuel safely?
(d) convert nuclear energy into electrical energy?

9. Which part of the solar cooker is responsible for green house effect?
(a) Coating with black colour inside the box (b) Mirror
(c) Glass sheet (d) Outer cover of the solar cooker

10. The main constituent of biogas is

(a) methane (b) carbon dioxide (c) hydrogen (d) hydrogen sulphide

11. The power generated in a windmill

(a) is more in rainy season since damp air would mean more air mass hitting the blades
(b) depends on the height of the tower
(c) depends on wind velocity
(d) can be increased by planting tall trees close to the tower

12. Choose the correct statement

(a) Sun can be taken as an inexhaustible source of energy
(b) There is infinite storage of fossil fuel inside the earth
(c) Hydro and wind energy plants are non polluting sources of energy
(d) Waste from a nuclear power plant can be easily disposed off

13. In a hydroelectric power plant more electrical power can be generated if water falls from a greater
height because
(a) its temperature increases
(b) larger amount of potential energy is converted into kinetic energy
(c) the electricity content of water increases with height
(d) more water molecules dissociate into ions

14. A solar water heater cannot be used to get hot water on :

(a) a sunny day (b) a cloudy day (c) a hot day (d) a windy day
15. Choose the incorrect statement regarding wind power
(a) It is expected to harness wind power to minimum in open space
(b) The potential energy content of wind blowing at high altitudes is the source of wind power
(c) Wind hitting at the blades of a windmill causes them to rotate The rotation thus achieved can
be utilised further
(d) One possible method of utilising the energy of rotational motion of the blades of a windmill is
to run the turbine of an electric generator

16. At a hydro power plant :

(a) kinetic energy possessed by stored water is converted into electrical energy
(b) electricity is extracted from water
(c) water is converted into steam to turn turbines and produce electricity.
(d) potential energy possessed by stored water is converted into electricity.

17. Which of the following is not an example of a biomass energy source ?

(a) wood (b) biogas (c) atomic energy (d) cow-dung

18. Most of the sources of energy that we use represent stored solar energy. Which of the following is
not ultimately derived from the sun’s energy ?
(a) wind energy (b) geothermal energy (c) fossil fuels (d) biomass

19. The constituent of biogas which makes it an excellent fuel is :

(a) butane (b) methane (c) propane (d) ethane

20. The major component of biogas is :

(a) hydrogen (b) butane (c) hydrogen sulphide (d) methane

21. Choose the incorrect statement

(a) We are encouraged to plant more trees so as to ensure clean environment and also provide bio-
mass fuel
(b) Gobar-gas is produced when crops, vegetable wastes etc., decompose in the absence of
oxygen
(c) The main ingredient of bio-gas is ethane and it gives a lot of smoke and also produces a lot of
residual ash
(d) Bio-mass is a renewable source of energy

22. In a nuclear power plant, coolant is a substance :

(a) which cools the hot, spent steam to condense it back to water
(b) which transfers heat from reactor to water in heat exchanger
(c) which is boiled to make steam to turn the turbine
(d) which cools the generator coils to prevent their overheating.

23. The source of energy of the sun is :

(a) conversion of hydrogen gas into helium
(b) conversion of carbon fuel into carbon dioxide
(c) burning of hydrogen gas present in the sun
(d) disintegration of uranium into barium and krypton

24. An uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction forms the basis of :

(a) nuclear power plant (b) hydrogen bomb (c) thermal power station (d) atom bomb
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