2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) Distinguish between the following in not more than 30 words.
(a) Ferrous and Non-Ferrous minerals:
Answer:
Ferrous minerals:
Metallic minerals which contain iron are called ferrous minerals, e.g. iron ore, manganese, nickel, cobalt, etc.
Non-ferrous minerals:
Metallic minerals which do not contain iron are called non-ferrous minerals, e.g. copper, bauxite, tin, etc.
(b) Conventional and nonconventional sources of energy.
Conventional Sources of Energy:
- Conventional sources of energy are those sources which have been use since the early times.
- They are exhaustible except hydro-energy.
- They cause pollution when used as they emit smoke and ash.
- Their generation and use involve huge expenditure.
- Very expensive to maintain, store, transmit as they are carried over long distances
through transmission grids. - Examples are – coal, natural gas, water, fire-wood.
Non-Conventional Sources of Energy:
- Non-conventional sources of energy have generally been identified in the recent past.
- They are inexhaustible.
- Generally these are pollutionfree.
- Low expenditure required.
- Less expensive due to local use and easy maintenance.
- Examples are – geothermal energy, solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, biogas energy, nuclear energy.
(ii) What is a mineral?
Answer: A mineral is a homogeneous, naturally occurring substance with a definable interior structure.
(iii) How are minerals formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
Answer: In igneous and metamorphic rocks, molten/liquid and gaseous minerals are forced upwards into the cracks. They then solidify and form veins or lodes.
(iv) Why do we need to conserve mineral resources?
Answer:
- It takes millions of years for the formation of minerals.
- Compared to the present rate of consumption, the replenishment rate of minerals is very slow.
- Hence, mineral resources are finite and non-renewable. Due to this, it is important that we conserve the mineral resources.
3. Answer the following questions:
(i) Describe the distribution of coal in India.
Answer:
- The major resources of metallurgical coal belong to the Gondwana age and are located mainly in the north eastern part of the peninsula.
- Rich reserves of coal are found in the Damodar Valley region in the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand.
- Raniganj in West Bengal and Jharia and Bokaro in Jharkhand are important coalfields. One third of the total production comes from here.
- Coal is also found in the Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha valleys. Korba in Chhattisgarh, Singrauli and Penah-kanhan valley in Madhya Pradesh, Talcher in Orissa, Kamptee and Chandrapur in Maharashtra and Singareni of Andhra Pradesh are important coal mines.
- Tertiary coal occur in the north eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
- Principal lignite reserves are found in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu.
(ii) Why do you think that solar energy has a bright future in India?
Answer: Solar energy has a bright future in India because :
- India being a tropical country receives sunlight in abundance throughout the year.
- Solar plants can be easily established in rural and remote areas.
- It will minimize the dependence of rural households on firewood and dunk cakes which in turn will contribute to environmental conservation and adequate supply of manure in agriculture.
- Reduces reliance on fossil fuels: Solar energy can help India reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels.
- Renewable resource: Solar energy is a renewable resource, unlike conventional sources of energy that are exhaustible and non-renewable.
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