MINERALS AND ENERGY RESOURCES

MINERALS AND ENERGY RESOURCES

(CLASS NOTES CAN NOT BE SUBSTITUTED WITH
ANYTHING)
1. What are called Minerals?
Minerals are substances which are found in the earths crust and which generally have definite
chemical composition. They are naturally occurring chemical compounds .

2. Explain different types of minerals.

Minerals

Metallic Non-Metallic Energy Minerals

Ferrous Non-Ferrous Precious

(a) Metallic Minerals:
Metallic minerals are those Substances, which provide Metals after processing Ex: Iron,
copper, silver and gold. Metals are hard Substances. They have a shine (or) lusture of
their Own. They can be smelt. They can be rolled into Sheets. They are divided into
Ferrous, Non- ferrous and precious metals.
(i) Ferrous minerals:
The minerals that contain Iron are called ferrous Minerals. Ex: Iron ore, Manganese,
Nickel and cobalt
(ii) Non-ferrous Minerals:
The minerals, which do not contain iron, are called Non-ferrous metals. Ex: copper,
lead, tin and bauxite.
(iii) Precious Minerals:
Non-ferrous Minerals, which are highly priced in the market, are called precious
minerals. Ex: gold, silver and platinum.
(b) Non-Metallic minerals:
Non-Metallic Minerals are those Minerals which do not provide metals. Ex: Mica, Salt,
Potash, Sulphur, Granite. Non-metals are soft substances. They do not have a Shine
(or) lusture. They cannot be rolled down into sheets.
(c) Energy Minerals:
Minerals which give out energy on ignition are called Energy Minerals. Ex: Coal,
Petroleum and Natural gas.
3.What are the different forms in which Minerals are found in Rocks? (Or)
How do the Minerals occur in rocks?
(1) In Igneous and metamorphic rocks minerals are found in cracks, faults and joints.
Smaller deposits are called veins and larger deposits are called Lodes. These deposits
are formed when the Minerals in Liquid form comes upward through the cracks to the
surface. They cool and solidify as they move upwards. Tin, copper, zinc and lead are
obtained from Veins and Lodes
(2) In sedimentary rocks Minerals are found in beds (or) layers. They are formed as a result of
deposition and accumulation of Minerals in layers. Coal, Iron ore, gypsum, potash and salt are found
in layers.
(3) Some Minerals like bauxite are found in Residual mass of weathered rocks.
(4) Some Minerals are found in alluvial deposits. These deposits are called placer deposits. Gold,
Silver, Tin and Platinum are found in these deposits.
(5) Some Minerals are found in ocean water. Common salt, magnesium and bromine are found in
ocean water.
4. How are Minerals found in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
Refer answer to Q.No .3 point (1).
5. Name the mineral rich areas of India?
(1) Peninsular plateau region is rich in Coal, metallic minerals, mica and many other non-metallic
minerals
(2) Plains of Gujarat and Assam are rich in petroleum.
(3) Rajasthan is rich in many Non-ferrous minerals.
6. What are the factors which affect mining in an area?
(Or) Name the factors which determine the economic viability of a mineral reserve?
(1) concentration of mineral in the ore:
Mining is done only if there is high concentration of mineral in the ore.
(2) Closeness to the market:
Mineral deposits, which are available near the market, are mined first.
(3) Depth of mining and the rock structure:
Mining is not done if the ore is found deep under the Earth.
7. Examine the importance of Iron.
(1) Iron is the backbone of modern machine age. It is used to produce huge machines, tools and
implements.
(2) It is used to produce Automobiles, Railway equipments and other materials needed for transport.
(3) It is used to produce communication equipments.
(4) It is used to produce household goods such as fans, refrigerators, furniture etc
(5) It is used in Building Construction Industries.
8. Name the two types of Iron ore found in India. Also mention their main features.
Magnetite and Hematite are the two types of iron ore found in India
Magnetite:
Magnetite is the best quality iron. Iron content in it is 70%. It has excellent magnetic qualities. It is
mainly used in electrical Industry
Hematite:
Hematite is the second quality Iron ore. Iron content in it is 50-60%. It is the most important Industrial
Iron ore.9. Why is Indian Iron ore highly demanded in the International Market?
Indian Iron ore is high quality Iron ore. Iron content in the ore Is very high. Magnetite and Hematite
are found in India. They are highly demanded in the International Market
10. Explain the major Iron ore belts [Iron ore producing regions] of India?
(i) Orissa Jharkhand belt:
Mayurbhanj [Badam pahar mines] and kendujhar districts of Orissa are rich in Iron ore.
(ii) Durg, Bastar, Chandrapur belt:
(iii) This belt is in chattisgarh and Maharashtta.Bailadila hills of Bastar district in Chattisgarh are rich
in Iron ore.
(iii) Bellary-Chitra durga-Chikmaglur-Tumkur Belt :
This belt is in Karnataka. Kundremukh deposits of Karnataka is the worlds largest iron ore deposits
(iv) Maharashtra Goa belts
Goa and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra are rich in iron ore.
11.Examine the importance of manganese. Mention the largest producer of manganese.
(1) Manganese is used to make steel and ferro- Manganese.
(2) It is used to produce bleaching powder, insecticides and paints. Orissa is the largest producer of
Manganese.
12.Explain the importance of copper. Mention the major Producing areas.
Copper is malleable, ductile and a good conductor. so it is used in electrical cables, electronics and
chemical industries. The Balaghat mines in M.P. produces 52% of Indias copper. Singbhum district
of Jharkhand and Khetri mines of Rajasthan are the other producing areas.
13.What is Bauxite? Examine its importance and name the major producing areas.
Bauxite is the ore of Aluminum. It is a clay like substance. Bauxite deposits are formed due to the
decomposition of rocks, which are rich in Aluminium Silicates.
Importance:
Aluminium is used in the production of aeroplanes.
It is used to make electric wires
It is used to make household utensils.
Producing areas:
Amarkantak plateau, Maikal hills and the plateau region of Bilaspur-katni are the Bauxite rich areas.
Orissa is the largest Producer.
14.What is mica? What are its main uses? Which are the major producing states of mica?
Mica is a Non-metallic Mineral. It is made up of many plates (or) leaves. Mica can be clear black,
green, red, yellow and brown. It has dielectric strength, low power loss factor, insulating properties
and resistance to high voltage. It is used in electrical and electronic industries. Northern parts of
chotanagpur plateau, koderma-gaya-hazari bagh belt of Jharkhand, Ajmer in Rajasthan and Nellore
in A.P are the major mica producing areas.
15.What are the uses of Limestone?
(1) Lime stone is used to make cement.
(2) It is used in smelting of Iron ore.
(3) It is used in Chemical Industries.
16.Examine the importance of Minerals.
(i) Minerals are used to make a variety of goods from tiny pin to big ship
(ii) Railways, railway coaches and wagons are made with minerals.
(iii) Implements and machines are made with Minerals.
(iv) Cars, buses and aeroplanes are made with Minerals.
(v) Minerals are used as Energy resources.
(vi) The food, which we eat, contains Minerals.
17. Why it is necessary to conserve Minerals?
The process of Mineral formation is very slow and at the same time the rate of Mineral consumption
is very high. So there is a danger of some Minerals getting exhausted. Minerals are finite and Non
renewable. So we have to conserve Minerals.
18. What steps can be taken to conserve Minerals?
(1) Minerals should be used in a planned way. Wastage in the process of Mining and processing
should be reduced.
(2) Export of Minerals should be reduced.
(3) Substitutes should be used to save Minerals.
(4) Recycling of metals should be encouraged.
19. What are fossil fuels (or) Mineral fuels? What are the demerits of fossil fuels?
Sources of energy which are obtained from the dead and decayed plant and animals are called fossil
fuels (or) Mineral fuels. Ex: coal, petroleum and Natural gas.
Demerits:
Fossil fuels are Non-renewable and exhaustible.
The use of fossil fuels causes pollution.
They are available in less quantity. So they are expensive.
20.Name the two important fuels used in village areas. Why should we discourage their use?
Fire wood and cattle dung cake are the commonly used Sources of energy in rural areas. Their
use should be discouraged because:
(1) Firewood has become scarce due to decreased forest area.
(2) Cow dung is a good manure. So it should not be used as fuel.
21.Point out the main differences between conventional Sources and Non-conventional
sources of energy.
Conventional sources:
(i) Man has been using them on a large scale for a long time. Their use is wide spread.
(ii) They are non-renewable and exhaustible.
(iii) Their uses cause pollution.
(iv) They are scarce and costly.
(v) Coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity are the main conventional sources.
Non-conventional Sources:
(i) They are some newly developed sources. Their use is not wide spread.
(ii) They are renewable and inexhaustible.
(iii) They are pollution free.
(iv) They are available in plenty and are cheap.
(v) Solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, geo-thermal energy and biogas are the Non-conventional
sources
.22.State the main merits of Non-conventional sources of energy over conventional sources
of energy.
(i) Non-conventional sources are renewable and inexhaustible whereas conventional sources
are non-renewable and exhaustible.
(ii) The use of Non-conventional sources does not cause any pollution whereas the use of
conventional sources cause pollution
(iii) Non-conventional sources are available in plenty, where as conventional sources are
scarce.
(iv) Non-conventional sources are cheap whereas conventional sources are expensive
23.Explain the main uses of coal [Black gold].
Uses of coal as a source of energy:
(i) Coal is used to generate thermal power .67% of electricity is produced in India by using coal.
(ii) Coal is used as a source of energy in some industrial units.
(iii) Coal is used as a domestic fuel.
(iv) In the past coal was used to run railway Trains.
Use of coal as a raw material:
(i) Coal is an important raw material in chemical industries.
(ii) It is an important raw material in fertilizer industry.

24. Explain the different types of coal.

(1) Peat: Decayed plant materials in swamps and marshes produce Peat. Carbon content is
less than 50%.
It burns like wood and gives more smoke and less heat.
(2) Lignite: It is low grade brown coal. Carbon content is less than 60%.
(3) Bituminous coal: Carbon content is 60-80%. It is the most popular coal in commercial uses.
(4) Anthracite coal: It is the highest quality coal and contains more than 80% carbon.
25.What is called Brown coal?
Lignite is called Brown coal. As the carbon content in it is less than 60%, its colour is Brown .
26.What are the merits of Indian Lignite?
(1) Ash left out by Indian Lignite is very less.
(2) Indian Lignite is consistent in quality.
27.Describe the distribution of coal in India?
In India coal is found in rocks of two different periods.
Gondwana period [formed 200 million years ago] and Tertiary Rocks [formed 55 million years ago].
Gondwana coal is found in Damodar valley, Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro and in the valleys of Godavari,
Mahanadhi, Son and wardha. Tertiary coal is found in Meghalaya, Arunachal pradesh and
Nagaland.Lignite is found in the Neyveli district of T.N.
28.Why are heavy Industries and thermal power station located near Coal fields?
Coal is a very important sources energy for heavy industries and thermal power stations. Coal is
a bulky commodity. Its transportation is difficult and expensive. So thermal power stations and heavy
industries are set up near coalfields.
29.What are the main uses of petroleum?
Petroleum as a source of energy:
It is used to generate electricity.
It is used as a fuel in automobiles.
It is used as a domestic fuel.
It is used as a fuel in boilers in industrial units.

Petroleum as a raw material:

Petroleum is used as a raw material in synthetic textiles,
fertilizers and many other chemical industries.
(2) It is used as a lubricant for machines.
30. How does petroleum occur in earths crust? (Or)
How is petroleum found in the earths crust?
Petroleum is mostly found along the anticlines and faults of the sedimentary rocks. In the
anticlines petroleum is found in the crest. Oil is found in the limestone and sand stone layer.
31.Explain the distribution of petroleum in India.
Mumbai High is the richest oil field in India.63% of the output comes from Mumbai High. 18% of
the output is from Gujarat and 16% from Assam. Digboi in Assam is the oldest oil field in India.
Ankeleshwar is the most important oil field of Gujarat.
32.What are the main uses of Natural gas?
Natural gas as a source of energy:
It is used to produce electricity.
Compressed Natural gas is used in automobiles.
It is used in boilers in Industrial units.
Natural gas as a raw material:
It is used as a raw material in petro chemical industry.
It is used as a raw material in fertilizers industry.
33.Why is Natural gas called a fuel of the present century?
(Or) What are the merits of Natural gas?
Natural gas is called the fuel of present century because:
(i)It is environment friendly fuel because it emits very less Carbon dioxide.
(ii)It can be easily transported through pipelines.
34.Examine the distribution of natural gas deposits in India?
Krishna-Godavari basin, Mumbai high, Gulf of Cambay and Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the
areas where Natural gas deposits are found.
35. Name any one Natural gas pipeline of India?
Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur (HBJ) pipeline connects Mumbai high and Bassein with the industrial
areas in
Western and Northern India.
36. Why is the per capita consumption of electricity considered as an index of development?
Electricity is a versatile form of energy .It is used for a number of purposes in houses. It is used to
run the machines in industrial units. It is used for irrigation and other purposes in agricultural fields. It
is also needed for transport and communication facilities. So, higher power consumption indicates
greater level of all economic activities.
37.What are the merits of water as a source of power? (Or)
What are the merits of hydroelectricity?
Hydel power is an important source of energy.
(1) Source of hydel power (water) is renewable and inexhaustible, whereas the sources of thermal
power
(Fossil fuels) are non renewable and exhaustible.
(2) Generation of hydel power does not cause any pollution. Generation of thermal power causes
pollution.
(3) Production cost of hydel power is less than that of thermal power.
(4) Use of thermal power degrades the environment, whereas the use of hydel power is safe to
the Environment
38. Explain the three types of electricity on the basis of their generation?
Hydel power/Hydro electricity:
Hydro electricity is produced by using the force of running (or) falling water. This force is used to
rotate the turbine. When the turbine rotates generator works and electricity is produced.
Thermal power:
Fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and Natural gas are burnt to get the energy needed to rotate the
Turbine. When the Turbine rotates, the generator works and electricity is produced.
Nuclear (or) Atomic energy:
The atoms of Nuclear Minerals such as Uranium and thorium are split under scientifically decide
conditions. This leads to the creation of energy. This energy is converted into electrical energy.
39.Name some hydroelectric projects of India?
Bhakranangal, Damodar valley and Hirakud dam are some hydroelectric projects of India.
40.Mention the places where nuclear minerals are found in India?
Uranium and Thorium are found in Jharkhand and Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan. The Monazite
sands of Kerala
are rich in Thorium
41.Nuclear energy is the energy of future-Explain (or)
Examine the importance of Nuclear energy in India?
Nuclear energy can save India from energy crisis:
(1) India is rich in Nuclear Minerals like Uranium, Thorium, graphite etc.
(2) Indian nuclear scientists have succeeded in developing sophisticated technology needed for
generating Nuclear energy
(3) India has good experience in using Nuclear energy for peaceful purposes such as agriculture,
medicine etc
(4) Indian is poor in fossil fuels. So to overcome energy crisis, nuclear energy has to be
developed.
(5) India has signed an agreement with USA to share Nuclear raw Materials.
42.Explain the major Non-conventional sources of energy?
Solar energy:
India is a Tropical country .So, we are rich in solar energy. Photvoltaic - technology is used
to convert
sun light into electricity. Solar energy is used for cooking, heating of water, pumping, street lights
etc The largest solar plant in India is located at Madhapur in Gujarat. In this plant solar energy is
used to sterilize milk cans.
Wind energy:
India is called a Wind Super Power in the world .The largest wind farm clusture is
located in T.N. It is between Nagarkoil and Madurai. Wind energy is converted into electrical energy.
Biogas:
 Agricultural wastes, shrubs, animal and Human wastes can be used for the production of Biogas.
Gas is produced when organic matter is decomposed. Thermal efficiency of biogas is more than that
of Kerosene

Tidal energy:
Oceanic tides can be used to produce electricity. Floodgate dams are built across inlets. During high
tide water enters into the dam then the gates are closed. During low tide water is allowed to flow into
sea through a pipe .The force of this flowing water is used to produce electricity. The gulf of Kuchchh
has favourable conditions for the development for tidal energy.
Geothermal energy:
It refers to the electricity produced by using heat energy, which is found deep under the earth.
Sometime this heat makes the groundwater hot. When this groundwater comes through as a spring
it may turn into steam. This steam is used to rotate the turbine and to produce electricity. Geothermal
energy power projects are located in the Parvathi valley of H.Pand the Pugavalley of Ladakh.
43.Why do you think that solar energy has a bright future in India?
Solar energy is going to be the saviour of India in future because:
India is a tropical country. So, we are rich in solar energy.
India has the technology to use solar energy. Today, it is used for cooking, pumping, heating of water
and street lighting.
Solar energy is renewable and Inexhaustible.
Generation and use of solar energy do not cause any pollution.
Solar energy is a cheap form of energy. So it is very good for a poor country like India.
44.State any three successful applications of solar energy in our day to-day life? (Or) Give
some uses of solar energy.
(1) Solar energy is used for heating water and for domestic and Industrial purposes.
(2) Solar cooker is used for cooking food.
(3)Energy generated by solar panels is used for lighting street and domestic lights.
(4)Photovoltaic sensors are used in satellites.
45. Write any five steps to conserve energy resources?
(1) Use of more and more public transport system and less of individual vehicles.
(2) Switch off electricity whenever not required.
(3)Use power saving device.
(4)Check the power equipments regularly. (5) Use more and more Non-conventional sources of
energy.
46.Why is Thar Desert favourable for developing solar energy?
(1) Sky is always clear in Thar Desert. So, abundant sun shine is available.

(2) Temperature in this part of India is always high.

47.Why is T.N. favourable for developing wind energy?
(1) High velocity winds which always blow in the same direction is available in
T.N.
(2) In the region between Nagarkoil and Madurai no relief features block the wind.
48.Give one reason why Biogas is mainly developed in Gujarat?
Animal rearing is the major occupation in Gujarat. So, animal waste is available in plenty.
49.Give one reason why Tidal energy is mainly developed in Gulf of Kuchchh in Gujarat?
Gujarat coastline is highly broken. So, it has many creeks which can be used for developing Tidal
energy