PON VIDYASHRAM SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, KOLAPAKKAM

Question 1.
Define the term ‘mineral’.
Answer:
Geologists define mineral as a “homogeneous, naturally occurring substance with a
definable internal structure.” They have physical and chemical properties by which they
can be identified.

Question 2.
Define the term ‘rock’.
Answer:
Rocks are combinations or aggregates of minerals in varying proportions. Some rocks
consist of a single mineral, e.g., limestone while most rocks consist of several minerals.

Question 3.
Define the term ‘ore’.
Answer:
The term ‘ore’ is used to describe an accumulation of any mineral mixed with other
elements.

Question 4.
Name the finest quality of iron ore.(2011 D)
Answer:
Magnetite is the finest quality of iron ore.

Question 5.
Orissa is the leading producer of which mineral?(2011 OD)
Answer:
Manganese ore.

Question 6.
Name one fossil fuel which is considered environment friendly.(2012 D)
Answer:
Natural gas.

Question 7.
Which is the main source of energy in India?(2012 D)
Answer:
The main source of energy in India is fossil fuels especially coal.
Question 8.
In which non-conventional source of energy is India referred to as a super power?(2013
D)
Answer:
Wind Power.

Question 9.
Which mineral is formed by decomposition of rocks, leaving a residual mass of
weathered material ?
Answer:
Bauxite

Question 10.
Name the state where the largest wind farm cluster is located? (2014 D)
Answer:
Tamil Nadu.

Question 11.
In which State are the ‘Balaghat’ Copper mines located?(2014 D)
Answer:
Madhya Pradesh.

Question 12.
Which is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India? Name its four major
forms.(2014 D)
Answer:
Coal;

1. Anthracite
2. Lignite
3. bituminous
4. peat

Question 13.
Which rock consists of a single mineral only? (2015 D)
Answer:
Limestone consists of a single mineral only.

Question 14.
How do minerals occur in sedimentary rocks ? (2015 OD)
Answer:
In sedimentary rocks a numbers of minerals occur in beds or layers. They have been
formed as a result of deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata.
For example, coal, iron ore.
Question 15.
Why are there a wide range of colours, hardness, crystal forms, lustre and density found
in minerals? (2016 D)
Answer:
A mineral that will be formed from a certain combination of elements depends upon the
physical and chemical conditions under which the mineral forms. It is because of these
physical and chemical conditions that minerals possess a wide range of colours, crystal
forms, lustre and density.

Question 16.
How do minerals occur in igneous and metamorphic rocks? (2016 D)
Answer:
In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals may occur in cracks, crevices, faults and
joints.

Question 17.
How do minerals occur in sedimentary rocks? (2016 D)
Answer:
In sedimentary rocks a number of minerals occur in beds or layers. They have been
formed as a result of deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal stratas.

Question 18.
Why should the use of cattle cake as fuel be discouraged? (2016 OD)
Answer:
Using dung cake or cattle cake as fuel is being discouraged because it consumes most
valuable manure which could be used in agriculture.

Question 19.
How are ‘Gobar gas plants’ beneficial to the farmers? (2016 OD)
Answer:
“Gobar Gas Plants” are beneficial to the farmers in the form of energy and improved
quality of manure.

Question 20.
Where is the largest solar plant located in India?(2009 OD)
Answer:
The largest solar plants located at Madhapur near Bhuj in Gujarat.

Question 21.
Name the industry which uses limestone as its main raw material.(2010 D)
Answer:
Cement industry.
Question 22.
How is energy an indispensable requirement of our modem life? Explain with three
examples. (2011 D)
Answer:
Modern life is highly governed by technology and revolves around it. Modem technology
is driven by energy and is highly automated. Every sector of National economy —
agriculture, industry, transport and commerce need greater inputs of energy. In the
domestic sector also, energy demands, in the form of electricity, are growing because of
increasing use of electric gadgets and appliances. Energy is the basic requirement for
economic development.

Question 23.
Mention any three characteristics of ferrous group of minerals found in India.(2011 D)
Answer:
Metallic minerals that have iron in them are called ferrous minerals. For example, iron
ore, manganese, nickel, cobalt etc.
Three characteristics of ferrous group of minerals found in India are:

1. Ferrous minerals account for about three fourths of the total value of the
production of metallic minerals.
2. They provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical industries.
3. India exports substantial quantities of ferrous minerals to Japan and South Korea
after meeting her internal demands.

Question 24.
Why is there a pressing need to use non-conventional sources of energy in India?
Explain any three reasons. (2011 D)
Answer:

1. The growing consumption of energy has resulted in India becoming increasingly

dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas which are found in limited
quantity on the earth.
2. Rising prices of oil and gas and their potential shortages have raised uncertainties
about the security of energy supply in future, which in turn has serious
repercussions on the growth of the national economy.
3. Increasing use of fossil fuels also causes serious environmental degradation like
air pollution, water pollution etc.
So there is an urgent need to use sustainable energy resources like solar, water,
wind, tide biomass etc.

Question 25.
Make a distinction between hydroelectricity and thermal electricity stating three points of
distinction.
Or
What are the two main ways of generating electricity? How are they different from each
other. Explain. (2011 OD, 2014 OD)
Answer:
Electricity is generated mainly in two ways:

1. By running water which drives hydro turbines to generate hydro electricity.

2. By burning other fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas to drive turbines to
produce thermal power.

Hydroelectricity Thermal electricity

(i) Hydroelectricity is generated by fast flowing water (i) Thermal electricity is generated by using coal,

which drives turbines to generate electricity. petroleum and natural gas.

(ii) The thermal power stations use nonrenewable

(ii) It is a renewable resource and is cheap.
fossil fuels.

(iii) India has a number of multipurpose projects like

(iii) There are over 310 thermal power plants in
the Bhakra Nangal, Damodar Valley Corporation etc.
India.
producing hydroelectric power.

Question 26.
“Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives.” Comment. (2011 OD)
Answer:
Almost everything we use, from a tiny pin to a towering building or a ship, all are made
from minerals. All means of transport are manufactured from minerals and run on power
resources derived from the earth. Even the food that we eat contains minerals. Human
beings have used minerals for their livelihood, decorations, festivities and in all stages
of development.

Question 27.
Mention any three major iron-ore belts of India. Write any three characteristics of the
southern most iron-ore belt. (2012 D)
 Answer:
The three major iron-ore belts of India are as follows:

1. Orissa-Jharkhand belt.
2. Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
3. Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmaglur-Tumkur belt in Karnataka.
4. Maharashtra-Goa belt.

Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmaglur-Tumkur belt is the southern most iron-ore belt.

Characteristics:

 This belt in Karnataka has large reserves of iron-ore.

 Kudremukh mines in the Western Ghats are known to be one of the largest in the
world.
 Kudremukh is a 100 per cent export unit and the ore is transported as slurry
through a pipeline to a port near Mangalore.

Question 28.
Classify energy resources into two categories. Give two examples of each. (2012 D)
Answer:
Energy resources can be classified as conventional and non-conventional sources.
Conventional sources include—firewood, cattle-dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas,
etc. Non-conventional sources include—solar, wind, tidal, geothermal energy and
biogas.

Question 29.
Differentiate between metallic and non-metallic minerals with examples. (2013 D)
Answer:

Metallic minerals Non-metallic minerals

(i) Metallic minerals generally occur in igneous and (i) Non-metallic minerals occur in sedimentary rocks.

metamorphic rocks. Certain minerals may also They have been formed as a result of deposition,

occur as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floor and accumulation and concentration in the horizontal

base of hills. strata.

(ii) Metallic minerals comprise of ferrous minerals, (ii) Non-metallic minerals comprise of mica, salt,
non-ferrous minerals and precious metals. Ferrous limestone, granite, etc. Limestone is used as raw

minerals containing iron-ore, cobalt, account for material in cement industries. Mica, salt and granite

strong development of metallurgical industries. are indispensable minerals used in electric and

Non-ferrous minerals, e.g., copper, bauxite and electronic industries.

precious metals, e.g., gold, platinum and silver play

a vital role in metallurgical engineering and electrical

industries.

(iii) Metallic minerals are found in Odisha, (iii) Non-metallic minerals are found in Rajasthan,

Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh.

Question 30.
Differentiate between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals with examples. (2013 D)
Answer:
Ferrous minerals:

1. Ferrous minerals account for about three fourths of the total value of the
production of metallic minerals.
2. They provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical industries.
3. India exports substantial quantities of ferrous minerals to Japan and South Korea
after meeting her internal demands.

Non-ferrous minerals:

1. India’s reserves and production of non-ferrous minerals is not very satisfactory.

2. Non-ferrous minerals include copper, bauxite, lead, zinc and gold.
3. They provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical, engineering and
electrical industries.
4. Non-ferrous minerals like copper and bauxite are mainly found in Madhya Pradesh
and Odisha respectively.