CHAPTER 5: MINERALS AND ENERGY RESOURCES

1.Why is it necessary to conserve mineral resources? Suggest any four ways to conserve mineral
resources. (2013 , 2012 , 2017 )
Or
Explain the importance of conversation of minerals. Highlight any three measures to conserve them.
(2016 OD)
Answer:
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 rate of
consumption.
5. They have to be preserved for our future generations because they are very important for
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.

2,

Which is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India? Mention its different forms. (2015 , 2014 ,
2008)
Answer:
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.

3.
How is the mining activity injurious to the health of the miners and environment? Explain. (2015 )
Answer:
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 get contaminated due to mining.

Dumping of slurry and waste leads to degradation of land, soil and increase in stream and river
pollution. Stricter safety regulations and implementation of environmental laws are essential to
prevent mining from becoming a ‘killer industry’.

4, How can solar energy solve the energy problem to some extent in India? Give your opinion. (2015 )
Or
Why does solar energy have a bright future in India?
Answer:
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. Photovaltic 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
ecofriendly nature, solar energy is called the energy of future.

5,

What are the main types of formations in which minerals occur?

Answer:
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. 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 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.

6. Energy sources can be classified as conventional and non-conventional sources.

Conventional Sources Non-conventional Sources

(i) The technology for their large-scale

(i) They have been in use since ages.
development is relatively new.

(ii) Except hydel power they are exhaustible or

(ii) They are inexhaustible sources of energy, e.g.,
non-renewable, e.g., coal, petroleum and natural
solar, wind and tidal energy.
gas.

(iii) These non-renewable resources create (iii) They are pollution-free, therefore are eco-

pollution. friendly.
 (iv) Except water, all other sources of energy are (iv) They are freely and abundantly available in

available in limited quantities. nature.

(v) It is costly. (v) It is a cheaper source.

(vi) Because of their limited availability and (vi) Because of their abundant availability, they are

exhaustible nature, we cannot depend on them for dependable sources. Therefore, they are called our

a long time. future energy resources.

Which is the next major source of energy after coal in India? Describe its occurrence (2017 , 2008)

OR

DESCRIBE THE IMPORTANCE OF PETROLEUM

Answer:
Importance of Petroleum in India:

1. It is the second most important energy source of India after coal. It can be easily
transported by pipelines and does not leave any residue. This property of petroleum
gives it an added advantage in its use over other fuels.
2. It provides fuel for heat and light.
3. It provides lubricants for machinery.
4. It provides raw material for a number of manufacturing industries.
5. It is an important fuel used in transportation sector.
6. Petroleum refineries act as a ‘nodal industry’ for synthetic textiles, fertilizers and many
chemical industries.

Occurrence of petroleum:
• Most of the petroleum occurrences in India are associated with anticlines and fault traps
in the rock formations of the tertiary age.
 • In regions of folding, anticline, or domes, it occurs where oil is trapped in the crest of
the upfold.
• Petroleum is also found in fault traps between porous and non-porous rocks.

8, What are the two main ways of generating electricity? How are they different from each other.
Explain. (2011 , 2014 )
Answer:
Electricity is generated mainly in two ways:

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

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

Hydroelectricity Thermal electricity

(i) Hydroelectricity is generated by fast flowing (i) Thermal electricity is generated by using coal,

water which drives turbines to generate electricity. petroleum and natural gas.

(ii) The thermal power stations use nonrenewable

(ii) It is a renewable resource and is cheap.
fossil fuels.

(iii) India has a number of multipurpose projects

(iii) There are over 310 thermal power plants in
like the Bhakra Nangal, Damodar Valley Cor-
India.
poration etc. producing hydroelectric power.
9.“Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives.” Comment. (2011 OD)
Answer:
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

10 .Explain any three steps to be taken to conserve the energy resources. (2011 )
Answer:

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.

11.Which are the potential sources of biogas? State any four benefits of biogas.
Ans. Potential sources of biogas: Shrubs, farm waste, animal waste, human waste, etc.
Benefits of biogas:
• High thermal efficiency in comparison to kerosene, dung cake, and charcoal.
• It burns without smoke, causing no pollution.
• It is the most efficient use of cattle dung.
• It improves the quality of manure and also prevents the loss of trees and manure due to
the burning of fuel wood and cow dung cakes.
12,Define geothermal energy. Also mention two projects which have been set in India to
harness geothermal energy.
Ans. Geothermal energy refers to the heat and electricity produced by using the heat from the
interior of the Earth. Geothermal energy exists because the Earth grows progressively hotter with
increasing depth.
Two experimental projects have been set up in India to harness geothermal energy:

• One is located in the Parvati valley near Manikarn in Himachal Pradesh.

• The other is located in the Puga Valley, Ladakh.
13. Why is mica considered the most important mineral in electrical and electronic industries?
Ans. Mica is considered the most important mineral in electrical and electronic industries because:
• Excellent dielectric strength
• Low power loss factor
• Insulating properties
• Resistance to high voltage.

How is bauxite formed? Give its uses. Discuss its distribution in India.
Ans. Formation: Bauxite deposits are formed by the decomposition of a wide variety of rocks rich in
aluminium silicates.
Uses:
 • Bauxite is a clay-like substance from which alumina and later aluminium are obtained.
• Aluminium is an important metal because it combines the strength of metals such as
iron with extreme lightness and also with good conductivity and great malleability.
Distribution:
• Bauxite is found in the Amarkantak Plateau, Maikal Hills, and the plateau region of
Bilaspur-Katni.
• Odisha is the largest bauxite-producing state in India.
• 15
Differentiate between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals.
• Ans.
Ferrous minerals Non-ferrous minerals

i. Minerals have iron content. i. Minerals do not have iron content.

ii. They have in the development of metallurgical ii. They play an important role in a number of
industries. Engineering and electrical industries.

iii. Example: iron ore, manganese, etc. iii. Example: lead, zinc, gold, etc.