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

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. “There is a pressing need to use renewable energy resource. “Justify the statement with suitable arguments.
Answer: There is a pressing need to use renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind, tide, biomass and energy from waste material because of following reasons:

• (i) Energy consumption has grown and we are largely dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas which are non-renewable i.e., one day they will be fully exhausted.
• (ii) Frequently Rising prices of oil and gas has created a challenge in front of us as its shortages would lead to uncertainties about the security of energy supply in future.
• (iii) Any hindrance in energy supply may affect the growth of our economy.
• (iv) Non-renewable energy resources, especially fossil fuels cause serious environmental problems which in turn create health problems.

Question. “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 get full potential.
Answer: Following measures can be suggested to get full potential:

• (i) Development of infrastructures: Iron ore mines are mostly located in backward regions of India. With the development of infrastructure we can exhaust it better.
• (ii) Providing Training: Training should be provided to mines workers as well as steel plant worker to make them more productive.
• (iii) Use of modern equipments: modern equipments should be used to mine iron-ore. Also modern machines should be used in steel plants and their regular repair should be done.
• (iv) Regular supply of Energy: Regular electricity should be supplied to those steel plants which are far away from energy sources.

Question. Which State is the largest producer of manganese in India ? Mention any two uses of manganese.
Answer: Orissa is the largest producer of manganese ores in India.

• (i) 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.
• (ii) It is also used in the manufacture of bleaching powder, insecticides and paints.

Question. Why is conservation of mineral resources essential ? Explain any three reasons.
Answer: Mineral resources which take millions of years to be created and concentrated are being consumed rapidly.

• (i) The geological processes are so slow that the rates of replenishment are infinitely small in comparison to the present rates of consumption.
• (ii) Rich mineral deposits are our country’s extremely valuable but short-lived possessions.
• (iii) Continued extraction of ores leads to increasing costs as extraction comes from greater depths along with decrease in quality.

Question. ‘‘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: Steps which can be taken to conserve this non-renewable source of energy are:

• (i) Use of public transport like buses and trains instead of self-owned vehicles will help to conserve petroleum. Car pooling will reduce the consumption of this fuel.
• (ii) Use of cycles wherever possible instead of using motorbike or car.
• (iii) Waxing floors with beeswax instead of petroleum based commercial wax can also be beneficial.

Question. What are the uses of limestone ? Which states are the leading producers of limestone ?
Answer: Limestone is the basic raw material for the cement industry and essential for smelting iron ore in the blast furnace. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are the chief states where limestone is produced in abundance.

Question. How are energy resources classified ? Give two examples for each.
Answer: Energy resource is classified into conventional and non-conventional energy resource.

• Conventional resource: the one which can be found in nature, for example, coal and petroleum.
• Non-conventional resource: the one which is created by man through a natural resource. For example: solar energy and wind energy.

Question. “Minerals are unevenly distributed in India.” Support the statement with examples.
Answer: The reason for this uneven distribution is variation in the geographical conditions, process and time involved in the formation of rocks.

• (i) The majority of coal reserves, metallic minerals, mica and many other non-metallic minerals are diverse in nature.
• (ii) Sedimentary rocks in Gujarat and Assam have petroleum deposits.
• (iii) The alluvial plains of North India are mostly devoid of mineral resources.

Question. Can solar energy solve the energy problem to some extent in India ? Give your opinion.
Answer: In my opinion, solar energy can surely solve the energy problem in India as :

• (i) India is a tropical country and has enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy.
• (ii) It is expected that use of solar energy can minimize the dependence of rural households on firewood and dung cakes.
• (iii) Due to rising prices and environmental threats of oil and gas, there is a need to shift to non-conventional sources of energy like solar energy.

Question. How we have to adopt a cautious approach for the judicious use of our limited energy resource ? Explain.
Answer: There is an urgent need to develop a sustainable path of energy development. Promotion of energy conservation and increased use of renewable energy sources are the twin planks of sustainable energy. As repsonsible citizens one should try to:

• (i) Use the public transport system or use shared rides.
• (ii) Switch off electricity or any electronic gadgets when not in use.
• (iii) Use of power-saving devices.
• (iv) Use of non-conventional sources of energy.

Question. What are the two main ways of generating electricity ?
Answer: Electricity is generated mainly in two ways: by running water which drives hydroturbines to generate hydroelectricity; and by burning other fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas to drive turbines to produce thermal power.

Question. What is the difference between hydroelectricity and thermal electricity ?
Answer:

• Hydro Electricity: Generated by fast flowing water; causes no pollution; plants are located near water bodies; uses renewable resources.
• Thermal Electricity: Generated by using coal, petroleum and natural gas; causes pollution; plants can be set up at any place; uses non-renewable resource.

Question. Why is it not preferred to use firewood and cattle dung as energy resource ?
Answer: Continuation of these is increasingly becoming difficult due to decreasing forest area. At the same time, usage of dunk cake is also discouraged as it consumes the most valuable manure, which could be used in agriculture.

Question. India now ranks as a “wind super power” in the world. Explain.
Answer: India has the largest programmes for the development of renewable energy resources. The largest wind farm cluster is located in Tamil Nadu from Nagarcoil to Madurai. Apart from this region, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep have important wind farms. Nagarcoil and Jaisalmer are also well known for effective use of wind energy.

Question. What do you understand by Tidal energy ? Which area provides suitable conditions for using it ?
Answer: Oceanic tides can be used to generate electricity. Floodgate dams are built across inlets. During high tide water flows into the inlet and gets trapped. After the tide falls, the water retained flows back to the sea via a pipe that carries it through a power generating turbine. In India, the Gulf of Kutch provides ideal conditions for utilising tidal energy.

Question. ‘‘A concerted effort has to be made in order to use mineral resources in a planned and sustainable manner.‘‘ Suggest and explain any three measures.
Answer:

• (i) Improved technologies need to be constantly evolved to allow the use of low grade ores at low cost.
• (ii) Recycling of metals, using scrap metals and other substitutes are steps in conserving ore mineral resources.
• (iii) Try to reuse the waste to reduce the production cost.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. “Minerals are indispensable part of lives.” Support the statement with examples.
Answer: Minerals are indispensable part of our lives because:

• (i) From a tiny pin to a towering building or a big ship, almost everything we use today is made from minerals.
• (ii) The railway lines, roads, implements and machinery too are made from minerals.
• (iii) Vehicles are manufactured from minerals and run on power resources derived from the earth.
• (iv) Food that we eat contains minerals.
• (v) Human beings use minerals in all stages of development.
• (vi) We use minerals for livelihood, decoration, festivities, and rites.
• (vii) Toothpaste contains minerals like silica, limestone, and aluminium oxide for cleaning; fluoride from fluorite reduces cavities.

Question. What are minerals ? How are minerals classified ? Explain briefly.
Answer: Minerals are homogenous naturally occurring substances with a definable internal structure. They are classified as:

• (i) Metallic minerals: (a) Ferrous (iron ore, manganese), (b) Non-ferrous (copper, lead), (c) Precious (gold, silver).
• (ii) Non-metallic minerals: Mica, salt, potash, sulphur, limestone.
• (iii) Energy minerals: Coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

Question. Explain the different types of non-conventional sources of energy.
Answer:

• (i) Solar Energy: Tapping solar radiation for heat and electricity using devices like solar cookers or PV modules.
• (ii) Bio Energy: Using biological forms of matter like plants and agricultural waste to produce energy.
• (iii) Wind Energy: Kinetic energy from air masses used to generate power.
• (iv) Ocean Energy: Utilizing tides, waves, and ocean thermal energy.
• (v) Geothermal Energy: Heat energy from hot rocks in the earth's crust accessed through wells.

Question. Describe any three characteristics of Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt iron-ore belt in India.
Answer:

• (i) This belt lies in the Chattisgarh and Maharashtra states.
• (ii) In the Bastar district of Chattisgarh, Hematite iron ore of very high grade is found in the Bailadila hills.
• (iii) Bailadila hills have 14 deposits of Hematite iron ore.

Question. Why is there an enormous possibility of tapping solar energy in India ?
Answer:

• (i) India is blessed with an abundance of sunlight.
• (ii) It is a tropical country with high possibilities for solar energy.
• (iii) Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity, becoming popular in rural areas.
• (iv) Large plants like the one at Madhapur (Bhuj) use solar energy for specific purposes like sterilising milk.
• (v) It is eco-friendly and does not pollute.

Question. What is Geothermal energy ?
Answer: Geothermal energy refers to the heat and electricity produced by using the heat from the interior of the earth. Where the geothermal gradient is high, groundwater absorbs heat from rocks. When it rises as steam, it is used to drive turbines. In India, experimental projects exist in Parvati valley (Himachal Pradesh) and Puga valley (Ladakh).

Source/Extract Based Questions

In igneous and metamorphic rocks minerals may occur in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints. The smaller occurrences are called veins and the larger are called lodes. In most cases, they are formed when minerals in liquid/molten and gaseous forms are forced upward through cavities towards the earth‘s surface. They cool and solidify as they rise. Major metallic minerals like tin, copper, zinc and lead etc. are obtained from veins and lodes. In sedimentary rocks a number of minerals occur in beds or layers. They have been formed as a result of deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata. Another group of sedimentary minerals include gypsum, potash salt and sodium salt. These are formed as a result of evaporation especially in arid regions.

Question. In which rocks the lodes and veins occur ?
Answer: Veins and lodes occur in the cracks, crevices, faults and joints of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Question. Which minerals are found in sedimentary rocks ? How are they formed ?
Answer: Coal, gypsum, potash salt and sodium salt are found in sedimentary rocks. They are formed as a result of deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata, or through evaporation in arid regions.

Question. What are ‘placer deposits‘ ?
Answer: Placer deposits are alluvial deposits found in sands of valley floors and the base of hills. They generally contain minerals like gold and silver which are not corroded by water.

Question. The Mineral resources are _______ and _______.
(a) Unlimited and Valuable
(b) Limited and exhaustible
(c) Limited and Inexhaustible
(d) Unlimited and exhaustible
Answer: (b)

Question. Identify which category these minerals belong to: 1. Copper, 2. Platinum, 3. Coal, 4. Limestone.
(a) 1-b, 2-d, 3-a, 4-c
(b) 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b
(c) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, 4-d
(d) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d
Answer: (a)

Question. Which of the following options is the reason for increasing price of minerals?
(a) Regular extraction
(b) Limited Availability
(c) Increasing extraction cost
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d)

Question. Sustainable use of mineral resources depends upon_______.
(a) Latest technology
(b) Finding best alternatives
(c) Following 3 R formula
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d)

Map Based Questions

Question. Identify and mark the following on the map: (i) One iron ore mine, (ii) One coal mine, (iii) One bauxite deposit region.
Answer: (i) Bellary, (ii) Jharia, (iii) Koraput.

Question. Identify the following places marked on the political map of India: (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)...
Answer: (i) Mayurbhanj, (ii) Durg, (iii) Bellary, (iv) Bailadila, (v) Ajmer, (vi) Beawar, (vii) Gaya, (ix) Neyveli, (x) Singareni, (xi) Talcher, (xii) Korba, (xiii) Digboi, (xiv) Ankaleshwar, (xv) Bassein, (xvi) Mumbai High.

Question. Locate and label: (i) Thermal power plants—Namrup, Talcher, Korba, Ramagundam, Vijayawada and Tuticorin. (ii) Nuclear Power plants—Narora, Rawat Bhata, Tarapur, Kaiga and Kalpakkam.
Answer: (Refer to the marked positions on the map for each plant location).

Question. Locate and label with appropriate symbols: (i) Balaghat, (ii) Kendujhar, (iii) Koraput, (iv) Bilaspur, (v) Hazaribagh, (vi) Mangaluru.
Answer: (i) Manganese, (ii) Manganese, (iii) Bauxite, (iv) Bauxite, (v) Mica, (vi) Iron ore exporting port.

Archive (Agriculture)

Question. What is the importance of pulses in our economy? Why are pulses grown as a rotation crop?
Answer: Pulses are a major source of protein in a vegetarian diet. They are grown as rotation crops because they are leguminous and help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air.

Question. Explain four characteristics of commercial farming in India.
Answer:

• (i) Use of higher doses of modern inputs like HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides.
• (ii) High productivity to meet market demands.
• (iii) The degree of commercialization varies from one region to another.
• (iv) Large land holdings are used for cultivation.