Important Questions for Chapter 5 Mineral and Energy Resources Class 10 Geography
Important Questions1
How do minerals occur in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
Answer
May occur in cracks, crevices, faults and joints.
VSAQ
2
How do minerals occur in sedimentary rocks?
Answer
In beds or layers.
VSAQ
3
Name some minerals formed in beds and layers.
Answer
Coal, and some forms of iron ore.
VSAQ
4
Which rock consists of single mineral only?
Answer
Limestone.
VSAQ
5
Why are there a wide range of colours, hardness, crystal forms, lustre and density found in minerals?
Answer
Due to physical and chemical conditions.
VSAQ
6
How does mining affect the health of miners?
Answer
The dust and the noxious fumes inhaled by the miners makes them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases.
VSAQ
7
What is hematite?
Answer
Hematite ore is the most important industrial iron ore in terms of the quantity used.
VSAQ
8
How did the Bailadila iron-ore field get its name?
Answer
The Bailadila hills look like the hump of an ox, hence Bailadila iron-ore field get its name.
VSAQ
9
How is iron–ore transported from Kudremukh mines to a port near Mangaluru?
Answer
Iron-ore is transported as slurry through pipelines.
VSAQ
10
Why is copper mainly used in electrical cables and electronic industries?
Answer
It is used in electrical cables as it is malleable, ductile and a good conductor of heat and electricity.
VSAQ
11
Which mineral isformed by decomposition of rocks, leaving a residual mass of weathered material ?
Answer
Bauxite.
VSAQ
12
Why should the use of cattle cake as fuel be discouraged?
Answer
Because it creates pollution. It consumes most valuable manure which could be used in agriculture.
(Any one)
VSAQ
13
How are ‘Gobar Gas Plants’ beneficial to the farmers?
Answer
By providing energy and improved quality of manure.
VSAQ
14
How power resources are classified?
Answer
Power resources may be broadly categorised as conventional and non-conventional resources.
VSAQ
15
Due to which of the following reasons is the Bailadila range in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh famous
Answer
Due to availability of very high grade hematite variety of iron ore.
VSAQ
16
Which state is the largest producer of bauxite?
Answer
Odisha.
VSAQ
17
In which state the largest wind farm cluster is located?
Answer
Tamil Nadu.
VSAQ
18
Which is basic raw material for cement industry?
Answer
Limestone.
VSAQ
1
How is mining activity hazardous? Explain.
Answer
The mining activity is injurious to the health of the miners and environment as:
• 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.
SAQ
2
Name the non-metallic mineral which can split easily into thin sheets. Mention its uses.
Answer
Mica is the non-metallic mineral which can be split easily into thin sheets. Mica is used in:
• Mica is used in electric and electronic industries due to its excellent di-electric strength, low power loss factor, insulating properties and resistance to high voltage.
• Plastic industry also uses mica as an extender and filler.
SAQ
3
What are ‘placer deposits’? Give examples of minerals found in such deposits.
Answer
• Certain minerals may occur as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors and base of hills. These deposits are called ‘placer deposits’.
• They generally contain minerals which are not corroded by water.
• Gold, silver, tin and platinum are examples of some important minerals found in ‘placer deposits’.
SAQ
4
Name the mineral ore from which aluminium is extracted? Why is it gaining importance? Give its distribution in India.
Answer
Bauxite.
• Aluminium is gaining importance because of its extreme lightness, good conductivity and great malleability. It combines the strength of metals such as Iron.
• It is mainly found in Amarkantak Plateau, Maikal Hills and the plateau region of Bilaspur-Katni. Koraput district in Odisha has large deposits. Odisha is the largest bauxite producing state. Others are Gujarat, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
SAQ
5
What are the uses of copper? Name the two leading copper producing states of India.
Answer
Uses of copper:
• In manufacturing electrical cables.
• In electronic industries.
• In chemical industries.
The two leading copper producing states of India are Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
SAQ
6
Why is mica considered the most important mineral in electric and electronic industries? Give three reasons.
Answer
Mica is:
• Excellent di-electric in strength and has low powerless factor.
• It has insulating properties and resistance to high voltage.
• Most indispensable mineral used in electric and electronic industries.
SAQ
7
Explain any three different forms in which minerals generally occur.
Answer
• Minerals occur in the form of veins and lodes in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
• In sedimentary rocks, a number of minerals occur in beds and layers.
• As residual mass of weathered material.
• As alluvial deposits in ocean waters.
SAQ
8
Describe the distribution of minerals in India.
Answer
India is fortunate to have fairly rich and varied mineral resources:
• In Peninsular plateau the reserves of coal, metallic minerals, mica and many other non-metallic minerals are found.
• In the sedimentary rocks of Gujarat and Assam most of the petroleum deposits are found.
• In Rajasthan reserves of many non-ferrous minerals are found.
• The alluvial plains of north India are almost devoid of economic minerals.
SAQ
9
Describe any three importance of coal as a source of energy.
Answer
Importance of coal as a source of energy in India are:
• Coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India.
• It provides a substantial part of the nation’s energy needs.
• It is used for power generation.
SAQ
10
What are the uses of Manganese?
Answer
• Manganese is mainly used in the manufacturing of steel and Ferro-manganese alloy.
• Nearly 10 kg of manganese is required to manufacture one tonne of steel.
• It is also used in manufacturing bleaching powder, insecticides and paints.
SAQ
11
How is geo-thermal energy produced? Explain.
Answer
The earth grows progressively hotter with increasing depth. Where the geothermal gradient is high, high temperatures are found at shallow depths. Groundwater in such areas absorbs heat from the rocks and becomes hot. It is so hot that when it rises to the earth’s surface, it turns into steam. This steam is used to drive turbines and generate electricity.
SAQ
12
Differentiate between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy.
Answer
• Conventional sources of energy are in use form the past whereas the nonconventional sources are in use from recent times.
• Conventional sources are mostly polluting in nature whereas nonconventional sources are eco-friendly.
• Conventional sources include: firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity (both hydel and thermal) whereas nonconventional sources include solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas and atomic energy.
SAQ
1
Highlight the importance of petroleum. Explain the occurrence of petroleum in India.
Answer
Importance of Petroleum:
• Petroleum is the major energy source in India.
• Provides fuel for heat and lighting.
• Provides lubricant for machinery.
• Provides raw material for a number of manufacturing industries.
• Petroleum refineries act as nodal industry for synthetic, textile, fertilizer and chemical industries.
Its occurrence:
• Most of the petroleum occurrences in India are associated with anticlines and fault traps.
• 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.
LAQ
2
Explain the importance of conservation of minerals. Highlight any three measures to conserve them.
OR
Why is conservation of mineral resources essential? Explain any three methods to conserve them.
Answer
Reasons for Conservation:
• The strong dependence of industry and agriculture upon minerals.
• The process of mineral formation is slow.
• They are non-renewable.
Methods to conserve:
• Minerals should be used in a planned and sustainable manner.
• Improved technology needs to be constantly evolved to allow use of low grade ore at low cost.
• Recycling of metals using scrap metals.
• Wastage in the mining and processing should be minimised.
LAQ
3
Which is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India? Assess the importance of its different forms.
Answer
Abundantly available fossil fuel in India is Coal.
Importance:
• Peat has low carbon and high moisture content and low heating capacity.
• Lignite is a low grade brown coal which is soft with high moisture content. It is used for generating electricity.
• Bituminous is the most popular coal of commercial use. It has a special value for smelting iron in blast furnaces.
• Anthracite is the highest quality hard coal.
LAQ
4
Which minerals are used to obtain nuclear energy? Name all the six nuclear power stations of India.
Answer
The minerals which are used to obtain this energy are Uranium and Thorium.
The six nuclear power stations of India are —
• Narora nuclear power station
• Kakrapara nuclear power station
• Tarapur nuclear power station
• Kaiga nuclear power station
• Kalpakkam nuclear power station
• Rawat Bhata nuclear power station
LAQ
5
“Conservation of minerals is the need of the hour” Support the statement with five facts.
Answer
Conservation of minerals is the need of the hour:
• Minerals are considered to be the backbone of the economy.
• Industry and agriculture depend on mineral deposits.
• The substances manufactured from them also depend on mineral deposits.
• Total volume of workable mineral deposits is very less- only 1% of the earth’s crust.
• Mineral resources are being consumed rapidly, and minerals require millions of years to be created and concentrated.
LAQ
6
Describe the four major iron ore belts in India.
Answer
The four major iron ore belts are:
• Orissa-Jharkhand belt: High grade hematite ore is found Important mines are Badampahar and Singbhum mines.
• Durg-Bastar belt lies in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra: Very high grade hematites are found. Famous mine are Bailadila which produces iron best suited for steel making.
• Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmaglur-Tumkur belt in Karnataka has large reserves of iron ore.
• Maharashtra-Goa belt includes the state of Goa and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.
LAQ
1
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 to conserve energy?
Answer
Twin planks/measures:
• Promotion of energy conservation.
• Increased use of renewable energy sources. 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.
• Using non-conventional sources of energy.
HOTS
2
“Minerals are indispensable part of our lives’. Support the statement with examples.
Answer
Minerals are an 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 railway 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 on power resources derived from the earth.
• Even the food that we eat contains minerals.
• In all stages of development, human beings have used minerals for their livelihood, decoration, festivities, religious and ceremonial rites.
HOTS
3
Why is solar energy fastly becoming popular in rural and remote areas of India? Explain.
Answer
• India is a tropical country, therefore it receives sunlight in abundance throughout the year.
• Solar plant can be easily established in rural and remote areas.
• It will minimise the dependence of rural households on firewood and dung cakes which in turn will contribute to environmental conservation and adequate quantity of manure.
HOTS