NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Geography: Minerals and Energy Resources

Summary of the Chapter

The chapter "Minerals and Energy Resources" discusses the importance of minerals and energy resources in our daily life and the national economy. It begins by explaining what minerals are and their classification into metallic, non-metallic, and energy minerals. The chapter covers the distribution of major minerals in India including iron ore, manganese, copper, bauxite, and mica.

The chapter then discusses conventional energy sources like coal, petroleum, natural gas, and electricity, as well as non-conventional energy sources such as solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, and nuclear energy. It highlights the need for conservation of minerals and energy resources and discusses sustainable development practices. The chapter emphasizes the importance of judicious use of these resources for future generations and the need to develop alternative energy sources.

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NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers

Exercises (Page 63)

Question 1: Multiple choice questions: (i) Which one of the following minerals is formed by decomposition of rocks, leaving a residual mass of weathered material? (a) Coal (b) Bauxite (c) Gold (d) Zinc

(ii) Koderma, in Jharkhand, is the leading producer of which one of the following minerals?
(a) Bauxite
(b) Mica
(c) Iron ore
(d) Copper

(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

(iv) Which one of the following minerals is contained in the Monazite sand?
(a) Oil
(b) Uranium
(c) Thorium
(d) Coal

Answer-
(i) (b) Bauxite
(ii) (b) Mica
(iii) (a) Sedimentary rocks
(iv) (c) Thorium

Question 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

(ii) What is a mineral?
(iii) How are minerals formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
(iv) Why do we need to conserve mineral resources?

Answer-
(i) (a) Ferrous minerals: Contain iron (e.g., iron ore, manganese)
Non-ferrous minerals: Do not contain iron (e.g., copper, bauxite)

(b)Conventional sources: Traditional sources like coal, petroleum
Non-conventional sources: New sources like solar, wind energy

(ii) Mineral: A homogenous naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure.

(iii) Igneous rocks: Minerals crystallize from magma/lava
Metamorphic rocks: Minerals form due to heat and pressure

(iv) Need to conserve mineral resources:

• Minerals are non-renewable
• Take millions of years to form
• Essential for industrial development
• Limited availability

Question 3: Answer the following questions in about 120 words:
(i) Describe the distribution of coal in India.
(ii) Why do you think that solar energy has a bright future in India?

Answer-
(i) Distribution of coal in India:

• Gondwana coal fields:
  • Jharkhand: Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro
  • West Bengal: Raniganj
  • Odisha: Talcher
  • Madhya Pradesh: Singrauli
  • Andhra Pradesh: Godavari valley
• Tertiary coal fields:
  • North-eastern states: Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh
  • Jammu and Kashmir
• Lignite deposits:
  • Tamil Nadu: Neyveli
  • Rajasthan: Palana
  • Gujarat: Kutch
  • Jammu and Kashmir

(ii) Solar energy has bright future in India because:

• Geographical advantage: India is tropical country with abundant sunlight
• Government initiatives: National Solar Mission promoting solar energy
• Cost effective: Decreasing cost of solar panels
• Environmental benefits: Clean and renewable energy source
• Rural electrification: Can provide electricity to remote areas
• Reduced dependence: Less reliance on imported fossil fuels
• Employment generation: Creates jobs in manufacturing and installation
• Sustainable development: Supports long-term energy security

Question 4: Map Skills: On an outline map of India, show the following:
(i) Iron-ore mines: Mayurbhanj, Durg, Bailadila, Bellary, Kudremukh
(ii) Mica mines: Ajmer, Beawar, Nellore, Gaya, Hazaribagh
(iii) Coal mines: Raniganj, Jharia, Bokaro, Talcher, Korba, Singrauli, Neyveli
(iv) Oil Fields: Digboi, Naharkatia, Mumbai High, Bassien, Kalol, Ankaleshwar

Answer-
[Students should mark these on a map of India:
Iron-ore mines:

• Mayurbhanj - Odisha
• Durg - Chhattisgarh
• Bailadila - Chhattisgarh
• Bellary - Karnataka
• Kudremukh - Karnataka

Mica mines:

• Ajmer - Rajasthan
• Beawar - Rajasthan
• Nellore - Andhra Pradesh
• Gaya - Bihar
• Hazaribagh - Jharkhand

Coal mines:

• Raniganj - West Bengal
• Jharia - Jharkhand
• Bokaro - Jharkhand
• Talcher - Odisha
• Korba - Chhattisgarh
• Singrauli - Madhya Pradesh
• Neyveli - Tamil Nadu

Oil Fields:

• Digboi - Assam
• Naharkatia - Assam
• Mumbai High - Maharashtra
• Bassien - Maharashtra
• Kalol - Gujarat
• Ankaleshwar - Gujarat]

Additional Questions

Question 5: Classify minerals with examples.

Answer-

Question 6: Describe the major iron ore belts in India.

Answer-
Major iron ore belts in India:

1.Orissa-Jharkhand belt:

• Location: Badampahar mines in Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts
• Features: High grade hematite ore
• Mines: Gurumahisani, Sulaipet, Badampahar

2.Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt:

• Location: Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra
• Features: Very high grade hematite ore
• Mines: Bailadila range, Dalli-Rajhara

3.Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmaglur-Tumkur belt:

• Location: Karnataka
• Features: Large reserves of iron ore
• Mines: Kudremukh mines

4.Maharashtra-Goa belt:

• Location: Goa and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra
• Features: Low grade ore
• Mines: Various mines in Goa

Question 7: Compare conventional and non-conventional energy sources.

Answer-

Question 8: What are the different types of coal? Describe their characteristics.

Answer-

Question 9: Explain the importance of non-conventional energy sources.

Answer-
Importance of non-conventional energy sources:

1.Renewable: They are inexhaustible and can be replenished naturally

2.Environment friendly: Do not cause pollution or environmental degradation

3.Sustainable: Support long-term energy needs without depletion

4.Decentralized: Can be set up in remote areas

5.Cost effective: Low operating costs after initial installation

6.Energy security: Reduce dependence on imported fuels

7.Rural development: Provide energy access to remote villages

8.Climate change mitigation: Help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions

9.Job creation: Generate employment in manufacturing and maintenance

10.Technological advancement: Promote research and innovation

Question 10: What are the major challenges in mineral conservation?

Answer-
Major challenges in mineral conservation:

1.Non-renewable nature: Minerals take millions of years to form

2.Wasteful mining: Inefficient extraction methods

3.Environmental degradation: Mining causes soil erosion and pollution

4.Export pressure: Pressure to export minerals for foreign exchange

5.Technological limitations: Lack of advanced mining technology

6.Illegal mining: Unregulated extraction of minerals

7.Consumption patterns: Increasing demand due to industrialization

8.Recycling issues: Limited recycling of mineral products

9.Policy implementation: Weak enforcement of conservation laws

10.Awareness: Lack of public awareness about conservation

Question 11: Describe the distribution of petroleum in India.

Answer-
Distribution of petroleum in India:

1.Mumbai High:

• Location: 176 km off Mumbai coast
• Features: Largest oil field in India
• Production: Accounts for 60% of India's production

2.Assam:

• Fields: Digboi, Naharkatiya, Moran
• Features: Oldest oil producing region
• Production: Significant contribution to national production

3.Gujarat:

• Fields: Ankaleshwar, Kalol, Mehsana, Nawagam
• Features: Important onshore fields
• Production: Major producer in western India

4.Eastern Coast:

• Fields: Krishna-Godavari basin, Kaveri basin
• Features: Offshore fields
• Production: Growing production areas

5.Rajasthan:

• Fields: Barmer basin
• Features: Recent discoveries
• Production: Emerging oil region

Question 12: What are the measures for conservation of minerals?

Answer-
Measures for conservation of minerals:

1.Sustainable mining: Using improved technologies to reduce waste

2.Recycling: Reusing scrap metals and minerals

3.Substitution: Using alternatives where possible

4.Efficient use: Improving efficiency in mineral utilization

5.Export control: Regulating export of minerals

6.Research: Developing new technologies for extraction

7.Public awareness: Educating people about conservation

8.Legislation: Implementing strict mining laws

9.Environmental protection: Minimizing ecological damage

10.Exploration: Finding new mineral deposits

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Important Keywords from the Chapter

• Mineral: A homogenous naturally occurring substance with definable internal structure
• Ore: A rock from which mineral can be extracted profitably
• Ferrous Minerals: Minerals containing iron
• Non-ferrous Minerals: Minerals not containing iron
• Metallic Minerals: Minerals containing metals
• Non-metallic Minerals: Minerals not containing metals
• Conventional Energy: Traditional sources like coal, petroleum
• Non-conventional Energy: Renewable sources like solar, wind
• Gondwana Coal: Coal formed about 200 million years ago
• Tertiary Coal: Coal formed about 55 million years ago
• Lignite: Low grade brown coal
• Anthracite: Highest quality coal
• Bituminous: Most popular coal for commercial use
• Bauxite: Ore of aluminium
• Mica: Mineral made up of series of plates
• Solar Energy: Energy obtained from sun
• Wind Energy: Energy obtained from wind
• Tidal Energy: Energy obtained from tides
• Geothermal Energy: Energy from heat inside earth
• Nuclear Energy: Energy obtained from atomic minerals