Minerals and Energy Resources
![]() |
Minerals and Energy Resources |
1. Multiple choice questions.
(i) Which one of the following minerals is formed by the decomposition of rocks, leaving a
residual mass of weathered material?
a. Coal (b) Bauxite (c ) Gold (d) Zinc
Solution: (b) Bauxite
(ii) Koderma, in Jharkhand, is the leading producer of which one of the following minerals?
a. Bauxite (b) Mica (c ) Iron Ore (d) Copper
Solution: (b) Mica
(iii) Minerals are deposited and accumulated in the strata of which of the following rocks?
a. Sedimentary Rocks (b) Metamorphic Rocks
(c ) Igneous Rocks (d) None of the above
Solution: (a) Sedimentary Rocks
(iv) Which one of the following minerals is contained in the Monazite sand?
a. Oil (b) Uranium (c ) Thorium (d) Coal
Solution: (c ) Thorium
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
b. Conventional and non-conventional sources of energy
Solution:
a. Ferrous minerals are the metallic minerals containing iron. For e.g.- Iron ore, Manganese,
Nickel, Cobalt etc.
While non-ferrous minerals are also metallic but they do not contain iron. For e.g.- Manganese,
Nickel, Cobalt etc.
b. Conventional sources of energy include firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas
and electricity (both hydel and thermal).
While non-conventional sources of energy are solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas and atomic
energy.
(ii) What is a mineral?
Solution:
Minerals can be defined as a homogenous, naturally occurring substance with a definable internal
structure. Minerals are found in varied forms in nature, ranging from the hardest diamond to the softest
talc.
(iii) How are minerals formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
Solution:
In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals can occur in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints. The
smaller deposits are called veins and the larger ones are called lodes.
(iv) Why do we need to conserve mineral resources?
Solution:
Mineral deposits form only one percent of the earth’s crust. We need to conserve mineral resources
because the geological processes of mineral formation are so slow that the rates of replenishment are
very small in comparison to the current rate of consumption.
3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Describe the distribution of coal in India
Solution:
In India, coal can be found in rock series of two main geological ages:
a. Gondwana (200 million years old)
b. Tertiary deposits (55 million years old)
The major resources of Gondwana coal are located in:
a. Damodar Valley (West Bengal - Jharkhand) - Jharia, Raniganj and Bokaro are important
coalfields.
b. Godavari valley
c. Mahanadi valley
d. Son valley
e. Wardha valley
Tertiary coal occurs in the northeastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and
Nagaland.
(ii) Why do you think that solar energy has a bright future in India?
Solution:
Solar Energy has a bright future in India because we are a tropical country with enormous possibilities
of tapping solar energy. Solar energy is fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas. India’s largest
solar power plant is located at Madhapur, near Bhuj, where solar energy is used to sterilise milk cans. It
is expected that use of solar energy will be able to minimise the dependence of rural households on
firewood and dung cakes, which in turn will contribute to environmental conservation and adequate
supply of manure in agriculture.
Solar energy is a non-conventional source of energy which is also renewable. Use of solar energy will
not only be good for the environment, but it will also reduce our dependence on oil and gas.
0 Comments