CBSE Class 10 Social Science Minerals and Energy Resources Important Questions Set 04

Question 1. “Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives.” Support this statement with suitable examples.
Answer:
Almost everything we use, from a tiny pin to a towering building or a big ship, is made from minerals.
The railway lines and tarmac (paving) of roads are made from minerals.
Cars, buses, trains and 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, religions and ceremonial rites.

Teacher's Note:
a) Minerals are used in everything from everyday objects to transport and infrastructure.
b) Human reliance on minerals spans livelihood, culture and even diet.

Question 2. Which type of mineral has provided a strong base for the development of metallurgical industries in India? Explain with the help of examples.
Answer:
Iron ore provides a strong base for the development of metallurgical industries in India; it is the basic mineral and the backbone of industrial development.
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.
Aluminium (from bauxite) is an important metal because it combines the strength of metals such as iron with extreme lightness, good conductivity and great malleability.
Copper is a good conductor of heat and is therefore used for electric wires; it is also used in the metallurgical industry.

Teacher's Note:
a) Iron ore is the backbone mineral of India's metallurgical industries.
b) Manganese, aluminium and copper each support different specific industrial uses.

Question 3. “India is fortunate to have fairly rich and varied mineral resources.” Elaborate the statement.
Answer:
India is endowed with fairly abundant resources of iron ore; iron ore from the mines of Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur is exported to Japan and South Korea via Visakhapatnam Port.
Coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel; bituminous coal, the most popular coal in commercial use, is abundantly available in India.
By exporting these minerals, India is able to earn foreign exchange.
Mica is also abundantly available in India; due to its excellent dielectric strength, low power-loss factor, insulating properties and resistance to high voltage, mica is one of the most indispensable minerals used in electrical and electronic industries.

Teacher's Note:
a) India's mineral wealth spans iron ore, coal and mica.
b) These minerals are both used domestically and exported for foreign exchange.

Question 4. Which is the basic mineral that is the backbone of industrial development? What is the status of iron ore in India?
Answer:
Iron ore is the basic mineral and is the backbone of industrial development.
India is endowed with fairly abundant resources of iron ore, and is rich in good quality iron ores.
Magnetite is the finest ore, with a very high iron content of up to 70 per cent, and has excellent magnetic qualities, especially valuable in electrical industries.
Haematite ore is the most important industrial iron ore in terms of quantity used, but has a slightly lower iron content than magnetite (50-60 per cent).

Teacher's Note:
a) Iron ore underpins all of India's industrial development.
b) Magnetite has the highest iron content; haematite is used in the largest quantity.

Question 5. Which is the second most important energy resource in India after coal? Mention its two uses along with its deposits in India.
Answer:
Petroleum (mineral oil) is the second most important energy resource in India after coal.
Two uses: it provides fuel for heat and lighting and lubricants for machinery, and serves as a raw material for a number of manufacturing industries.
Petroleum refineries act as a 'nodal industry' for synthetic textiles, fertiliser and numerous chemical industries.
Deposits: 63 per cent of India's petroleum production is from Mumbai High, 18 per cent from Gujarat and 16 per cent from Assam.
Ankleshwar is the most important offshore field of Gujarat, and Assam is the oldest oil-producing state of India, with Digboi, Naharkatia and Moran-Hugrijan as important oilfields.

Teacher's Note:
a) Petroleum ranks second to coal as an energy resource.
b) Mumbai High is India's single largest source of petroleum production.

Question 6. Distinguish between Biogas and Natural Gas.
Answer:
Biogas is a man-made energy resource; natural gas is a natural resource.
Biogas is prepared from shrubs, farm waste, and animal and human waste; natural gas is found beneath the earth, usually above oil deposits.
Biogas is produced for domestic use; natural gas is basically used in industries as a raw material.
Biogas is the most efficient use of cow dung and farm/animal waste; Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), an environment-friendly fuel, is gaining popularity in India.

Teacher's Note:
a) Biogas is man-made from organic waste; natural gas is a naturally occurring fossil resource.
b) Biogas serves rural domestic needs, while CNG (from natural gas) is increasingly used as vehicle fuel.

Question 7. Why is there a pressing need to use renewable energy resources in India? Explain, giving any five reasons.
Answer:
The growing consumption of energy has resulted in the country becoming increasingly dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
Rising prices of oil and gas and their potential shortages have raised uncertainties about the security of energy supply in future, with serious repercussions for the growth of the national economy.
Increasing use of fossil fuels also causes serious environmental problems.
Hence, there is a pressing need to use renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind, tidal, biomass and energy from waste material.
These are called non-conventional energy resources.

Teacher's Note:
a) Growing fossil-fuel dependence threatens both energy security and the environment.
b) Renewable sources (solar, wind, tidal, biomass) offer a more secure and sustainable alternative.

Question 8. “Energy saved is energy produced.” Justify the statement by giving any six measures to conserve energy resources.
Answer:
We have to adopt a cautious approach for the judicious use of our limited energy resources. As concerned citizens, we can:
Use public transport systems instead of individual vehicles.
Switch off electricity when not in use.
Use power-saving devices, like those carrying star ratings in electronic industries.
Use CNG as fuel, which is environment-friendly.
Increase the use of renewable energy.
Use biogas for domestic consumption in rural areas, and make use of non-conventional sources of energy.

Teacher's Note:
a) Simple everyday choices (public transport, switching off power, star-rated devices) add up to real energy savings.
b) Shifting to CNG, biogas and renewables reduces strain on finite fossil-fuel resources.

Question 9. Why is conservation of mineral resources essential? Explain any three methods to conserve them.
Answer:
We are rapidly consuming mineral resources that take 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 compared to their consumption.
Continued extraction of ores leads to increasing costs, as mineral extraction comes from greater depths along with a decrease in quality.
Most minerals are also unevenly distributed on the Earth's surface, making mineral resources finite and non-renewable.
Three methods to conserve minerals: (i) make use of minerals in a planned and sustainable manner; (ii) constantly evolve improved technologies to allow the use of low-grade ores at low cost; (iii) recycle metals and use scrap metal and other substitutes.

Teacher's Note:
a) Minerals form over millions of years but are consumed far faster, making them effectively non-renewable.
b) Planned use, better technology and recycling are the main ways to conserve them.

Teacher's Note:
a) Anthracite is the rarest and highest grade of coal in India, found only in J&K.
b) Carbon content is the key number: 80%+ for anthracite, 60-80% for bituminous.

Question 11. Why is conservation of minerals essential? Explain any four measures to conserve minerals.
Answer:
(1) In India, sustainable economic development means development should take place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise the needs of future generations.
(2) Minerals are a good source of earning foreign currency.
(3) Many Indian factories depend upon minerals for their raw materials.
(4) Minerals are helpful in generating jobs and employment in mining.

Teacher's Note:
a) Minerals are non-renewable — the sustainable-development angle is the key reasoning here.
b) Four reasons given: environment, foreign currency, industry, employment.

Question 12. Describe any three points on the importance of minerals in our daily life.
Answer:
Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives. For example:
(1) Railway lines, the tarmac of roads, and our implements and machinery are made from minerals.
(2) Cars, buses, trains and aeroplanes are manufactured from minerals.
(3) From a tiny pin to a towering building or a ship, all are made from minerals.
(4) At all stages of development, human beings have used minerals for their livelihood, decoration, festivities, and religious and ceremonial rites.

Teacher's Note:
a) Give at least one everyday example (transport, buildings) and one cultural example (decoration/rites) for a well-rounded answer.

Teacher's Note:
a) A rock is made of minerals — think of rocks as the mixture, minerals as the ingredients.
b) Diamond (hardest) and talc (softest) are the standard example pair for mineral hardness.

Question 14. Classify minerals into three groups. Give one example of each.
Answer:
(1) Metallic minerals, further classified into:
(i) Ferrous (containing iron): for example, iron ore, manganese, nickel, cobalt.
(ii) Non-ferrous: for example, copper, lead, tin, bauxite.
(iii) Precious: for example, gold, silver, platinum.
(2) Non-metallic minerals: for example, mica, salt, potash, granite, limestone.
(3) Energy minerals: for example, coal, petroleum, natural gas.

Teacher's Note:
a) Three main groups — metallic, non-metallic, energy — with metallic further split into ferrous/non-ferrous/precious.
b) Iron ore (ferrous) and coal (energy) are the two most commonly cited examples.

Question 15. Explain the various hazards of mining.
Answer:
(1) The dust and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary (lung) diseases.
(2) The risk of collapsing mine roofs, flooding and fires in coal mines is a constant threat to miners.
(3) Dumping of waste and slurry leads to degradation of land and soil.
(4) During rainfall, water falling on the dumped waste becomes dirty and ultimately contaminates surrounding water bodies (streams or rivers), or groundwater through percolation.
(5) The mining industry is often called a ‘killer industry’ due to the high risks involved.

Teacher's Note:
a) Group the hazards as health-related (dust, fumes), safety-related (collapses, fires) and environmental (waste, water pollution).
b) ‘Killer industry’ is a specific phrase sometimes directly asked for.

Question 16. ‘Crude oil reserves are limited all over the world. If people continue to extract it at the present rate, the reserves would last only 35-40 years more.’ Explain any three ways to solve this problem.
Answer:
Crude oil is a non-renewable resource of energy. It takes millions of years for this fuel to form, so it must be used judiciously. It is being used at a faster rate than it is being produced, causing depletion and scarcity.
Steps that can be taken to conserve this resource:
(i) Use of public transport like buses and trains instead of self-owned vehicles will help conserve petroleum; carpooling will further reduce fuel consumption.
(ii) Use of cycles wherever possible, instead of motorbikes or cars.
(iii) Using beeswax instead of petroleum-based commercial wax for waxing floors.

Teacher's Note:
a) Three practical conservation steps — public transport, cycling, and substituting petroleum products are the pattern to remember.
b) This question links to the 'steps to save energy' question below — revise together.

Question 17. What steps can be taken for saving energy?
Answer:
(1) Use more public transport and fewer individual vehicles.
(2) Use bicycles for short distances.
(3) Switch off electricity whenever not required.
(4) Use power-saving devices.
(5) Check power equipment regularly.
(6) Clean gas burners regularly and switch off the gas regulator when not in use.
(7) Create awareness in the neighbourhood with catchy slogans.
(8) Make greater use of non-conventional sources of energy, as India has an abundance of sunlight, water, wind and biomass.
‘Energy saved is energy produced.’

Teacher's Note:
a) Eight points given — a mix of household habits and larger policy (non-conventional energy).
b) ‘Energy saved is energy produced’ is a quotable line worth using directly in an answer.

Question 18. Which is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India? Assess the importance of its different forms.
Answer:
Coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India, and the main source of power generation in the country.
(a) Lignite coal: the principal lignite reserves are in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu; used for generation of electricity.
(b) Bituminous coal: the most popular coal in commercial use. The major resources of metallurgical (Gondwana) coal are located in the Damodar valley (West Bengal, Jharkhand), Jharia, Raniganj and Bokaro.
(c) Anthracite: found only in Jammu and Kashmir; the highest quality hard coal.
(d) Tertiary coal occurs in the north-eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

Teacher's Note:
a) Four forms of coal, each with a named region — Neyveli (lignite), Damodar valley (bituminous), J&K (anthracite), north-east (tertiary).
b) This is a frequently tested 'forms of coal with locations' question.

Question 19. What is the next major source of energy after coal in India? Describe any three advantages of it.
Answer:
The substitute source of energy after coal in India is petroleum. Main advantages of petroleum:
(1) It can be used as a fuel for heat and lighting.
(2) It can also be used as a lubricant for machinery and equipment.
(3) It can be used as a raw material for a number of manufacturing sectors, such as textiles, fertilisers and petrochemicals.

Teacher's Note:
a) Petroleum's three advantages span fuel use, lubrication, and raw-material use — cover all three for full marks.

Question 20. State any two factors which influence the formation of a mineral.
Answer:
(1) The formation of minerals depends on the physical and chemical conditions under which the material forms.
(2) Coal and some forms of iron ore have been concentrated as a result of long periods under great heat and pressure.
(3) In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals may occur in cracks, crevices, faults or joints, often formed when minerals in liquid/molten and gaseous forms are forced upward through cavities toward the earth's surface.

Teacher's Note:
a) Heat, pressure, and physical/chemical conditions are the three factors to recall.
b) This explains why minerals often occur along fault lines and rock cracks.

Question 21. How do geologists define minerals? Give one example each of the hardest and the softest minerals.
Answer:
(1) Geologists define minerals as a ‘homogeneous, naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure’.
(2) Minerals are found in varied forms in nature.
(3) The hardest mineral is diamond, and the softest is talc.

Teacher's Note:
a) Learn this exact geologist's definition — it is sometimes asked for word-for-word.
b) Diamond/talc pairing reappears in the rocks-vs-minerals question above.

Question 22. What is the use of manganese ore? Where in our country do we have its deposits?
Answer:
Uses:
(1) Manganese is used for making steel; it gives strength to iron.
(2) It is also used in manufacturing bleaching powder, insecticides and paints.
Deposits of ore in India: manganese ore reserves exist in Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa.
India consumes nearly four-fifths (4/5) of its total manganese ore production domestically; the rest is exported, mostly to Japan.

Teacher's Note:
a) Manganese + iron = steel is the single most important fact here.
b) The 4/5 domestic consumption figure is a specific number worth remembering.

Question 23. Name the rock mineral which is the basic raw material for the cement industry. State its composition and use.
Answer:
(1) Limestone is the basic raw material for the cement industry.
(2) It is found in association with rocks composed of calcium carbonate, or calcium and magnesium carbonate.
(3) It is also used for smelting iron ore in the blast furnace.

Teacher's Note:
a) Limestone → cement is the key link; its second use in iron smelting is a less obvious but often-tested fact.

Question 24. Explain veins and lodes. Which minerals are found in them?
Answer:
In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals may occur in cracks, crevices, faults or joints. The smaller occurrences are called veins, and the larger ones are called lodes.

Teacher's Note:
a) Veins = smaller occurrences, lodes = larger occurrences — an easy one-line distinction to remember.
b) Both occur in igneous and metamorphic rocks specifically, not sedimentary rocks.

Question 25. ‘Aluminium is an important metal.’ Support the statement with examples.
Answer:
Aluminium is an important metal because:
(1) It is light in weight.
(2) It is resistant to corrosion.
(3) It is a good conductor of heat.
(4) It has great malleability.
(5) It is used to manufacture aircraft, utensils and wires.
(6) It is used as a substitute for copper, steel and zinc.

Teacher's Note:
a) Light weight + corrosion resistance are the two properties most often tested.
b) Aircraft manufacturing is the standout real-world application to cite.

Question 26. ‘Minerals found in ocean waters mostly are not of economic significance.’ Give one reason. Name any two minerals derived from ocean water.
Answer:
(1) Minerals found in ocean water mostly are not of economic significance because: (i) they are too widely diffused; (ii) there is a higher cost and environmental constraints involved in marine mining; (iii) mining is hampered by technological constraints, such as ocean depth.
(2) Minerals derived from ocean water include common salt, magnesium, bromine and manganese nodules.

Teacher's Note:
a) Common salt is the most familiar ocean-derived mineral to name first.
b) The reason is mainly economic (cost, technology) rather than the minerals being absent.

Teacher's Note:
a) Malleability and lustre are the two quickest tests to tell metallic and non-metallic minerals apart.
b) Note where each type occurs: metallic in igneous/metamorphic rocks, non-metallic in sedimentary rocks.

Question 28. Which of the following minerals is used to harden steel during its manufacturing: (a) Iron ore (b) Coking coal (c) Manganese (d) Limestone?
Answer:
(c) Manganese — used to harden steel and remove impurities during steel manufacturing.

Teacher's Note:
a) Manganese hardens steel during manufacturing.
b) Nearly 10 kg of manganese is needed per tonne of steel produced.

Question 29. Name the industry which uses limestone as its main raw material.
Answer:
The cement industry uses limestone as its main raw material.

Teacher's Note:
a) Limestone is the key raw material for cement manufacturing.
b) Cement plants are often located close to limestone deposits.

Question 30. Describe any three characteristics of the Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur iron-ore belt in India.
Answer:
The Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt lies in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
It provides very high-grade haematite from the famous Bailadila range of hills in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
The range of hills comprises 14 deposits of super high-grade haematite iron ore, with the best physical properties needed for steel-making.
Iron ore from these mines is exported to Japan and South Korea via Visakhapatnam Port.

Teacher's Note:
a) This belt (Chhattisgarh/Maharashtra) has very high-grade haematite from the Bailadila hills.
b) Its ore is exported to Japan and South Korea via Visakhapatnam Port.

Question 31. Describe any three characteristics of the Odisha-Jharkhand belt of iron ore in India.
Answer:
In Odisha, high-grade haematite ore is found in Badampahar mines, in the Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts.
In the adjoining Singbhum district of Jharkhand, haematite iron ore is mined at Gua and Noamundi.
These mines feed the steel industry in eastern and other parts of India.

Teacher's Note:
a) This belt spans Mayurbhanj/Kendujhar (Odisha) and Singbhum (Jharkhand).
b) Its ore supplies steel plants across eastern India.

Question 32. Describe any three characteristics of the Ballari-Chitradurga-Chikmagaluru-Tumakuru iron-ore belt in India.
Answer:
This belt in Karnataka has large reserves of iron ore.
The Kudremukh mines are located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka.
They are a 100 per cent export unit.
Kudremukh's deposits are known to be among the largest in the world; the ore is transported as slurry through a pipeline to a port near Mangaluru.

Teacher's Note:
a) Kudremukh mines (Western Ghats, Karnataka) are a fully export-oriented iron ore unit.
b) Ore is piped as slurry to a port near Mangaluru for export.

Question 33. “India is an important iron and steel producing country in the world, yet we are not able to perform to our full potential.” Suggest and explain any three measures to reach full potential.
Answer:
India underperforms largely due to high costs and limited availability of coking coal, and poor supportive infrastructure; many steel plants also have outdated technology.
Performance can be improved by: modernising technology and machinery.
Streamlining the supply of inputs such as iron ore, coke, etc.
Having an adequate buffer of electricity capacity.
Streamlining customer demand and supplies.

Teacher's Note:
a) Coking coal shortages, poor infrastructure and outdated tech limit India's steel output.
b) Modernising technology, inputs, power supply and demand management can raise this towards full potential.

Question 34. Describe any three features of ferrous minerals found in India.
Answer:
Ferrous minerals in India account for approximately three-fourths of the total value of production of metallic minerals.
They provide a strong foundation for the expansion of metallurgical industries.
India is also a leading exporter of ferrous minerals; magnetite and haematite are some common ferrous minerals, chiefly found in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

Teacher's Note:
a) Ferrous minerals make up about three-fourths of India's metallic mineral output value.
b) Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra are the chief states for these minerals.

Question 35. Why is mica considered the most important mineral in the electric and electronic industries? Give three reasons.
Answer:
It has excellent dielectric strength and a low power-loss factor.
It has insulating properties and resistance to high voltage.
These properties make it the most indispensable mineral used in electric and electronic industries.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mica's dielectric strength, insulation and high-voltage resistance make it ideal for electronics.
b) This is why it's considered indispensable in electric and electronic industries.

Question 36. 'Minerals occur in various forms.' Support this statement with examples.
Answer:
In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals may occur in cracks, crevices, faults or joints; the smaller occurrences are called veins and the larger are called lodes.
In most cases, they form when minerals in liquid/molten and gaseous forms are forced upward through cavities towards the earth's surface, cooling and solidifying as they rise; major metallic minerals like tin, copper, zinc and lead are obtained from veins and lodes.
In sedimentary rocks, a number of minerals occur in beds or layers, formed by deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata -- for example, gypsum, potash salt and sodium salt, formed through evaporation especially in arid regions.
Another mode of formation involves the decomposition of surface rocks and the removal of soluble constituents.

Teacher's Note:
a) Minerals form differently depending on rock type: veins/lodes (igneous/metamorphic), beds/layers (sedimentary), or through surface rock decomposition.
b) This explains why mineral occurrence varies so widely across different geological settings.