Ch. – 5 : Mineral and Energy Resources
Class-X (Geography)
Ans.
Minerals are indispensable part of our lives. Almost everything we use, from a tiny pin to a
towering building or a big ship, all are made from minerals.
The railways lines and the tarmac (paving) of the roads, our implements and machinery too are
made from minerals. Cars, buses, trains, aeroplanes are manufactured from minerals and run by
power resources derived from the earth.
Even the food we eat contain minerals. Although our minerals in take represents only about 0.3%
of our total in take of nutrients, they are so potent and so important that without them we would
not be able to utilize the other 99.7%of foodstuffs.
Human beings have used minerals for their livelihood, decoration, festivities, religious and
ceremonial sites. In short, all living things need minerals. Life processes cannot occur without
minerals.
Q.2. What is a mineral?
Ans. Mineral is a homogenous naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure. They are
found in varied forms in nature, ranging from the hardest diamond to the softest talc.
Q.3. What is rock?
Ans. Rocks are combination of homogenous substance called minerals.
Some rocks consist of a single mineral only ,but majority of the rock consist of several minerals
in varying proportions .
Q.4. State the factors that influence the formation of a minerals?
Ans. A particular mineral that will be formed from a certain combination of elements depending upon the
physical and chemical conditions under which the material forms. This results in wide range of
colours, hardness, crystal forms, lustre and density that a particular mineral possesses.
Q.5. Distinguish between a rock and mineral.
Ans. A rock may contain many minerals in varying proportions
A mineral contains high proportion of a mineral along with certain impurities
Q.6. Why are geographers and geologists interested in the study of minerals?
Ans.
A geographer studies minerals with the following aims.
o (i) He looks at the earth’s crust for a better understanding of landforms.
o (ii) He is interested in distribution of mineral resources and associated economic activities
A geologist, however, is interested in the formation of mineral, their age and physical and
chemical composition.
Q.7. Distinguish between metallic and non-metallic minerals.
Ans.
Metallic Minerals Non- metallic minerals Metallic minerals are those substances which Û Non metallic minerals are those
provide metal after their processing such as iron, which do not provide metal after their
copper, aluminum, tin, silver and gold. processing such as sulphur, mica, coal
Petroleum etc.
They are hard and have lustre or shine Û They are not hard and they do not have a
of their own.
These can be smelted, can be drawn into Û They cannot be smelted and cannot be
moulded wires and rolled down into sheets. Into sheets.
Q.8 Distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals.
Ans. The mineral which have fair amount of iron contents are called ferrous minerals eg. Iron ore,
maganeses ore Chromium cobalt etc.
The minerals that do not posses iron contents are non-ferrous minerals eg. Copper, tin, zinc, gold,
silver etc.
Q.9. Explain the importance of iron, magneaneal, mica, bauxite and copper
Ans Iron ore * It is the backbone of industrial development.
* It is used in manufacturing of steel ,machine,tools and equipments.
* It is used in transport sector and many other section of production.
Manganese- * It is used in manufacturing of steel and ferro manganese alloy. Nearly 10 kg of
Manganese
* Is required to manufacture one tonne of steel.
* These alloys became very strong and therefore are used in making giant
machines
* It is also used in manufacturing bleaching powder, insecticides and paints.
Bauxitr – * It is a source of aluminum-useful light metal
* Aluminum 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
* It is used in electrical goods.
Mica * Due to its di-electric strength, low power loss factor, insulating properties and
Resistance to high voltage, mica is one of the most indispensable minerals
used in electric and electronic industries.
Copper * It is malleable, ductile and a good conductor of heat.
* It is mainly used in electrical cables, electronics and chemical industries.
Q.10. “Minerals are unevenly distributed in India” Explain.
Ans- India is fortunate to have fairly rich and varied minerals resources. However these are unevehy
distributed resources.
Peninsular rocks contains most of the reserves of coal, metallic, mica and many other non metallic
minerals
Sedimentary rocks on the western and eastern flanks of the peninsular in Gujarat and Assam have
most of the petroleum deposits.
Rajasthan with the rock system of the peninsula has reserve of many non-ferrous minerals.
The vast alluvial plains of the north India are almost devoid of economic minerals
These variations exists largely because of the differences in the geological structure, process and
time involved in the formation of minerals.
Q.11. Explain the distribution of Iron-ore in India
Ans The major iron ore in India are :
Orissa –Jharkhand belts:- In Orissa high grade hematite ore is found in Badampahar mines in the
Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts. In the adjoining Singbhum districts of Jharkhand haematite iron
ore is mined in Gua and Noamundi Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt lies in the Chattisgarh and Maharashtra. Very high grade hematites are
found in the famous Bailadila range of hills in the Bastar district of Chattisgarh.The range range of
hills comprises of 14 deposits of super high grade hematite iron ore.It has the best physical properties
needed for steel making .Iron ore from these mines is exported to Japan and South Korea via
Vishakapatnam port
Ballary-Chitradurga –Chikmaglur –Tumkur belt in Karnataka has large reserves of iron ore.The
Kudermukh mines located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka deposited are known to be one of the
largest in the world. The ore is transported as slurry through a pipeline to a port near Mangalore.
Maharashtra-Goa belt includes the state of Goa and Ratnagiri district of Maarashtra .Though the ores
are not of very high quality , yet they are efficiently explotted.Iron ire is exported through Marmagao
port.
Q.12. Which state is the largest producer of mangaresl in India
Ans. Orissa is the largest producer of manganese in India .It accountaed for one third of the country’s total
Production in 2000-2001.
Q.13. Mining and smelting of copper in India is a costly affair. Why?
Ans. The main reason are as follows.
Copper ore which is found in India contains less than 1% of copper.
Quality of the copper is also not very good.
Q.14. What is the impacts of mining on the health of the miners and the environment? What is its
solution?
Ans The impacts of mining on the health of the miners and the environment
The dust and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases
The risk of collapsing mine roofs,inundation and fires in coalmines are a constant threat to
miners.
The water sources in the region get contaminated due to mining
Dumping of waste and slurry leads to degradation of land ,soil, and increase in stream and river
pollution
Q15. Why is there need to conserve minerals?
Ans.
We all appreciate the strong dependence of industry and agriculture upon mineral deposits and
the substance manufactured from them. The total volume of workable mineral deposits is an
insignificant fraction i.e one per cent of the earth’s crust.
We are rapidly consuming mineral resources the required millions of years to be created and
concentrated. 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 Mineral
resources are therefore, finite and non renewable.
Rich mineral deposits are our country’s extremely valuable but short-lived possessions.
Continued costs as mineral extraction comes from greater depths along with decrease in quality.
Q16 How can we conserve minerals?
Ans.
A concerted effort has to be made in order to use our mineral resources in planned and
sustainable manner resources in a planned and sustainable manner.
Improved technologies need to be constantly evolved to allow use of low grade ores at low costs.
Recycling of metals, using scrap metals and other substitutes are steps in conserving our mineral
resources for the future.
Further intensified exploration of mineral deposits is also required.
Q17 In which minerals India is (i) very rich (ii)very poor
Ans (i) very rich- iron, manganese, cool, limestone, bauxite, mica. India has most of the minerals required for the industrialization.
(ii)very poor-zinc, lead, copper ,tin, gold and sulpher.
Q18. Write differences b/w conventional and non-conventional source of energy.
Ans.
Conventional sources of energy Non Conventional sources of energy
1. Conventional sources of energy have been used
since the early times.
2. These are non –renewable sources of energy
e.g. coal and petroleum once they have been
used, they cannot be replaced
3. They cause air and water pollution as their
burning emits smoke and leave residue.
4. They are going tp last for few hundreds of years
5. These sources of energy require huge capital
investment.
1. Non –conventional sources of energy have
come into use recently.
2. These are renewable sources of energy e.g.
wind energy, solar energy tidal energy.
3. They are eco-friendly as they do not cause any
pollution
4. They are found in abundance and of renewable
nature, so they are going to last forever.
5. They are comparatively cheaper and can be
renewed with minimum efforts and money.
Q.19. How are energy resources important to us?
Ans. Energy is required for all the activities. It is needed: -
To cook
To provide light and heat
To propel vehicles
To drive machinery in industries
Q.20. Which is the principal source of commercial energy in India?
Ans.
In India, coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel. It provides a substantial part of the
nation’s energy needs.
It is used for power generation, to supply energy to industry as well as for domestic needs. India
is highly dependent on coal for meeting its commercial energy requirements.
Q.21. What do you kno0w about the occurrence and distribution of coal in India.
Ans. In India coal occurs in rock series of two main geological ages: -
* Gondwana age: - It is little over 200 million years in age. The major resources of gondwana coal,
which are metallurgical coal, are located in Damodar Valley (West Bengal-Jharkhand) Jharia,
Raniganj, Bokaro are important waterfalls. The Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha Valleys also
contain coal deposits.
* Tertiary Age:- It is only about 55 million years old. Tertiary coal occur in north-eastern states of
Meghalaya, Assam, Arunchal Pradesh and Nagaland.
Q-22 Explain different types of coal.
Ans here are four different type of coal
Peat * It contains less than 50 percent carbon.
* It burns like wood and gives more smoke .It has high moisture contents and
low heating capacity.
* It is produced by decaying of plants in swamps.
Lignite * It contains about 60% carbon.
* It is low grade brown coal, which is soft with high moisture content.
* The major lignite reserves are in Neyveli in Tamilnadu and are used for
generation of electricity.
Bituminous * It contain 60 to 80 % Carbon
* As it has been buried deep and subjected to increased temperature, so it has less moisture and high heating capacity.
* It is most widely used variety of coal. It is used for smelting iron in blast
furnaces.
Anthracite * It contains more than 80% carbon. It is hard, black and compact.
Q-23 Explain petroleum under the following headings
Ans. a) Importance b) Formation c) Distribution
Importance : * It provides fuel for heat and lightinh
* It provides lubricants for machinery.
* It also gives raw material for a number of manufacturing industries.
* Petroleum refineries act as a “nodal industry “for synthetic textile
, fertilizer and numerous chemical industries
Occurrence:-
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, anticlines or domes, it occurs where oil is trapped in the crest of the upfold.
The oil bearing layer is a porous limestone or sandstone through which oil may flow. The oil is
prevented from rising or sinking by intervening non-porous layers.
Petroleum is also found in fault traps between porous and non-porous rocks. Gas, being lighter
usually occurs above the oil.
Distribution:-
About 63% per cent of India’s petroleum production is from Mumbai High. 18% from Gujarat
and 16% from Assam.
Ankeleshwar is the most important field of Gujarat.
Assam is the oldest oil producing state of India.
Digboi, Naharkatiya and Moran-Hugrijan are the important oil fields in the state.
Q.24. What do you know about Hazira-Bijaipur-Jagdispur gas pipeline?
Ans. The 1700 km long Hazira-Bijaipur-Jagdishpur cross country gas pipeline lines Mumbai High and
Bassien with fertilizer, power and industrial complexes in western and northern India.
Q.25. Distinguish between Hydro-electricity and Thermal electricity.
Ans.
Hydro – Electricity Thermal Electricity
It is generated by fast flowing water, which is
renewable in nature.
The force created by falling water drives water
turbines these turbines are attached to generators
which produce hydroelectric power
Generation of hydro-power does not cause any
pollution
These need to be set up where source of energy
in available in close proximity.
It is generated by using coal, petroleum and
natural gas, which are non-renewable.
The heat produced by burning of turbines.
These turbines are attached to generator which
produces thermal electricity.
Generation of thermal power causes a lot a
pollution
These can be setup any where.
Q.26. How nuclear energy is obtained Name the minerals used in generating nuclear energy and
where are they found in India?
Ans.
Nuclear energy is obtained by altering the structure of atoms. When such an alteration is made,
much energy if released in the form of heat and is used to generate electric power.
Uranium and thorium are used to generate nuclear energy.
These minerals are available in Jharkhand and the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan. The monazite
sands of Kerela is also rich in thorium.Q.27. What are the uses of natural gas?
Ans. In a power deficient country, natural gas is a precious gift.
It can be used as a source of energy. It takes less time to built a power plant based on natural gas.
It can be used as an industrial raw material in petro-chemical industry.
It can be used in building the fertilizer plants and thereby encouraging the use of fertilizers. It
can boost agricultural production.
Through easy transportation by way of pipelines, its utility is further increased.
Q.28. Why do you think that nuclear energy is bound to play an increasingly important role in
India?
Ans.
India is deficient in quality coal and natural oil. Therefore, nuclear energy is expected to play a
complementary role.
Nuclear power stations would be handy when other power resources are either not tapped or are
in short supply.
Nuclear power is supplied to the power grid and in no way different from hydel or thermal
power.
India has been a leader in peaceful uses of atomic energy in fields like medicine and agriculture.
Q.29. Why do solar energy in Rajasthan and biogas in the plains and hills of North India have
greater potential as non-conventional sources of energy?
Ans. Solar energy has greater potential to develop in Rajsthan to due to following reasons: -
It is a hot and dry region. There are clear skies for considerable part of the year. There is
abundant insolation. So there are better prospects of trapping the solar energy.
Bio-gas has a greater potential in the plains and hills of North India due to the following reason.
o There is dense vegetation and large number of cattle and livestock are reared here. There
is high density of population especially in the northern plains. Therefore huge decay and
human waste material is available.
Q.30. How is tidal energy generated? In India which area provides ideal conditions for utilizing tidal
energy?
Ans.
Oceanic tides can be used to generate electricity.
Flood gates dams are built across inlets. During high tide water flows into the inlets and gets
trapped when the gate is closed.
After the tide falls outside the flood gate, the water retained by the floodgate, flows back to the
sea via a pipe that carries it through a power generating turbine.
In India, the gulf of Kuchchh, provides ideal conditions for utilizing tidal energy
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