7TH Std.

Chapter 17 NATURAL RESOURCES

Q1) Describe natural resources with reference to the following three types.
(a) Mineral resources: 1) Mineral wealth has an important place among
natural resources. Minerals are formed by various processes taking place in the
environment.2)The rocks on the earth are mainly made of minerals. These
minerals can be obtained by mining.3) Minerals are formed from the magma
in the earth's crust and the lava from the eruption of volcanoes, when they
cool and get transformed into crystals.Ex.Magnetite,Mica.4) Minerals get
transformed from one form into another due to large changes in temperature
and pressure . Ex Diamond, Graphite 5) There are 3 types of minerals according
to their properties
A) Non-metal minerals: Mica,Sulphur,gypsum,potash,graphite,diamond
B) Metal minerals :Iron, gold, silver, tin ,bauxite,manganese,platinum,tungsten
c)Energy minerals: Coal, mineral oil, natural gas
(b) Forest resources
Ans:1) An extensive area of land covered by a variety of plants is called a
forest.2) A forest is a natural habitat of plants, animals and microbes. About
30% of the total land of the world is covered by forests.3) Forests perform
certain specific protective and productive functions. 4)Forest wealth includes
fibers, paper, rubber, gum and aromatic substances. 5)We get fragrant
essential oils from lemon grass, vanilla, kewada, vetiver (Khus), and
eucalyptus. 6) we get various fruits, bulbs and roots, honey, sealing wax,
catechu, dyes, etc. from forests 7) We get strong and durable wood as also
firewood from trees like teak, mahogany, neem, acacia, subabhul.8) Wood is
used for making furniture, farming implements and various other articles as
well as in construction work.9) Many medicinal plants adulsa,Bel,Neem,
periwinkle, cinnamon are used for treatment of various diseases such as
cough,cold,malaria, diarrhea, cancer , fever.
(c) Ocean resources
Ans: 1) oceans occupy a greater part of the earth's surface than land does.
2)Energy can be obtained on a large scale from oceans. Sea waves at high
and low tide and ocean currents are being used for generation of power.
3) There are reserves of a variety of natural resources in seawater, at the
bottom of the sea and beneath the seabed, too.
4) These resources available from seas and oceans are called marine resources.
5) There are billions of tons of minerals are to be found dissolved in ocean
water.
6)There are very large reserves of tin, chromium, phosphates, copper, zinc,
iron, lead, manganese, Sulphur, uranium, etc. in the ocean and seabeds.
7)We get many types of gems, conches, shells and pearls from the sea. Real
pearls are even costlier than gold.
8) There are large scale reserves of mineral oil and natural gas at the bottom
of sea.
Q2. Write answers to the following questions in your own words.
(a)What is meant by fossil fuel? What are their types ?
Ans. 1) Fossil fuels are formed in the earth from dead plants and animals , due
to high pressure from above and the heat from the earth's interior, slowly
transformed the buried Plants and animals get into fossil fuel. 2) There are
three types of fossil fuels which can be used for energy provision, Coal, Oil and
natural gas.
(b)Make a list of the components we obtain from mineral oil.
Ans. Mineral oil is also known as petroleum or crude oil. Petroleum is refined
by fractional distillation to separate other components. Aviation,
petrol,gasoline,diesel,kerosene,naphtha,lubricating oil, tar is all obtained from
petroleum.
(c)What do we get from forests ?
Ans. 1) We get strong and durable wood as also firewood from trees like teak,
mahogany, neem, acacia, subabhul. 2) Also, we get fibers, paper, rubber, gum
and aromatic substances. 3) We get fragrant essential oils from lemon grass,
vanilla, kewada, vetiver (Khus), and eucalyptus. 4) Many medicinal plants
adulsa,Bel,Neem, periwinkle, cinnamon are used for treatment of various
diseases.
(d)What are the items included in ocean resources? What are their uses?
Ans: 1)Tons of minerals are to be found dissolved in ocean water. 2)There are
very large reserves of tin, chromium, phosphates, copper, zinc, iron, lead,
manganese, Sulphur, uranium, etc
Mineral resources from oceans 1)Thorium - used in the production
of atomic energy.2)Magnesium - used in the flash bulb of a camera.
3)Potassium - the main ingredient in production of soap, glass, fertilizer.
4)Sodium - used in the production of cloth and paper.
5)Sulphate used in making artificial silk..
Bio-resources in ocean
1) Fishes like pomfret, seer fish as also shrimps and prawns - they are sources
of proteins and vitamins, therefore, mainly used as sea food.2)Dried shrimp,
Bombay duck powder – used as poultry feed and is a good manure.
3)Shells -used for preparation of medicines, ornaments and decorative
articles.
4)Fungi - used for the production of antibiotics.5)Shark and cod fish - used for
producing edible oil rich in Vitamins A, D and E.
Sea cucumbers - used as medicine for treating cancer and tumors.
(e) Why should we prevent the wastage of fuel used for vehicles?
Ans: 1) The fuels used in vehicles are fossil fuels (petrol, diesel, CNG) 2) They
are exhaustible nonrenewable source of energy. 3) Due to uncontrolled use of
such fuels their resources are getting depleted 4) It will require millions years
to produce them again 5) Hence we should prevent the wastage of fuel used
for vehicles.
(f)Why is the diversity of plants and animals in the forests declining?
Ans: 1)The causes of decline in the diversity of plants and animals are1)
population growth 2) deforestation 3) pollution 4) Hunting of animals and
Global warming.
(g)Write the names of five minerals and the useful substances obtained from
them.
Ans: The names of five minerals are
1) Iron : Iron ore is used to make a variety of articles from pins to heavy
machinery. For example, farming implements, rails of railway tracks, etc.
2) Copper:- Copper is a very good conductor of electricity. Therefore, it is
used to make electric wires as well as in radios, telephones, vehicles, and for
making kitchen utensils and statues.
3) Mica: Mica has many uses such as in ayurvedic medicines, dyes, electric
machines and equipment, wireless communication equipment, etc
4) Bauxite:- it is used mainly in Aeroplan’s, transport vehicles and to make
electric wires.
5) Manganese:- Compounds of manganese are used in the preparation of
medicines and for giving a pink tinge to glass. Manganese is also used in
electrical appliances.
(h) Name the two important stages in the process of obtaining metals from
ores?
Ans:- Extraction and purification are the two important stages in the process
of obtaining metals from ores.
I) How to conserve forests?
Ans: To conserve forests
1.Young trees should not be cut.
2.Many more trees, than are cut down, should be planted and looked after.
3.The stringent restrictions/ laws/ regulations regarding use of forests should
be strictly followed
j) Write the characteristics of compressed Natural gas (CNG)
Ans The characteristics of compressed Natural gas are
1.Catches fire easily. 2. No solid waste remains after combustion. 3.)Carbon
dioxide and water are formed in small quantities .4).Other pollutants are not
produced. 5.)Can be transported easily. 6)Combustion can be controlled easily.
Q3.)What steps ore token for protection and conservation of natural
resources?
Ans:1) Use alternative sources of energy like solar energy, tidal energy, biogas
2)Minimizing the use of natural resources.
3)Forest station programs have been launched.
4)Creating awareness and conducting awareness for protection and
conservation of natural resources.
Q4.)How does the economic condition of o notion depend on its natural
resources?
1)The presence of natural resource in the country generates employment and
opportunities for many people.
2)It acts as a source of revenue for the government.
3)It helps the country to earn a great amount by exporting.
4)The abundance of natural resources in a country reduces its import. It
reduces the cost and common people can get it at lower price.

𝑔𝑎𝑠

Q5)Which medicinal plants will you grow on your school premises and near
your house? Why?
Ans. Tulsi: It has a remarkable healing properties.Taken as herbal tea,juice of
its leaves give relief to cough, cold and fever.
Lemon grsass:It reduces high fever, used for tereatment of pain like headache,
joint pains , muscular pains.
Peppermint: Used to relief stomach ache.
Aloevera: Its juice is used to reduce infection for cuts and wounds, used as a
cosmetics.