Chapter 5 – Minerals ans Energy Resources
Fill in the
blanks1] Fluoride which is used to reduce cavities comes from a mineral fluorite.
2] The sparkle in some toothpaste comes from mica.
3] rocks are combinations of homogenous substances called minerals.
4] Although, over 2000 minerals have been identified, only a few are abundantly found in most of the rocks.
5] Geographers study minerals as part of the earth’s crust for a better understanding of landforms.
6] Minerals are usually found in ores.
7] In igneous and metamorphic rocks minerals may occur in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints.
8] The smaller occurrences in rocks are called veins and the larger are called lodes.
9] In sedimentary rocks a number of minerals occur in beds or layers.
10] Coal is an example of energy mineral.
11] Bauxite is formed by residual mass of weathered material containing ores.
12] Certain minerals may occur as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors and the base of hills. These deposits are called placer deposits.
13] Coal mining in Jowai and Cherapunjee is done by family member in the form of a long narrow tunnel, known as Rat hole mining.
14] Sedimentary rocks on the western and eastern flanks of the peninsula, in Gujarat and Assam have most of the petroleum deposits.
15] Ferrous minerals provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical INDUSTRIES.
16] Magnetite is the finest iron ore with a very high content of iron up to 70 per cent.
17] Hematite ore is the most important industrial iron ore in terms of the quantity used, but has slightly lower iron content than magnetite.
18] In Orissa high grade hematite ore is found in Badampahar mines in the Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts.
19] Kudremukh deposits are known to be one of the largest in the world.
20] Nearly 10 kg of manganese is required to manufacture one tonne of steel.
21] Orissa is the largest producer of manganese ores in India.
22] The Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh produce 52 per cent of India’s copper.
23] Bauxite deposits are formed by the decomposition of a wide variety of rocks rich in aluminium silicates.
24] Orissa is the largest bauxite producing state in India
25] Limestone is found in association with rocks composed of calcium carbonates or calcium and magnesium carbonates.
26] The dust and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases.
27] Energy resources can be classified as conventional and nonconventional sources.
28] In India, coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel.
29] Lignite is a low grade brown coal, which is soft with high moisture content.
30] The principal lignite reserves are in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu.
31] Coal that has been buried deep and subjected to increased temperatures is known as bituminous coal.
32] Anthracite is the highest quality hard coal.
33] Mineral oil is the next major energy source in India after coal.
34] About 63 per cent of India’s petroleum production is from Mumbai High.
35] Assam is the oldest oil producing state of India.
36] The electricity generated by burning other fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas to drive turbines produce thermal power.
37] Hydro electricity is generated by fast flowing water, which is a renewable resource.
38] There are over 310 thermal power plants in India.
39] Nuclear energy is obtained by altering the structure of atoms.
40] The largest solar plant of India is located at Madhapur, near Bhuj.
41] The largest wind farm cluster is located in Tamil Nadu from Nagarcoil to Madurai.
Questions & Answers
Q.1. Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives. Explain the statement.
Ans:
Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives. Almost everything we use, from a tiny pin to a towering building or a big ship, all are made from minerals. The railway lines and the tarmac (paving) of the roads, our implements and machinery too are made from minerals. Cars, buses, trains, aeroplanes are manufactured from minerals and run on power resources derived from the earth. Even the food that we eat contains minerals. In all stages of development, human beings have used minerals for their livelihood, decoration, festivities, religious and ceremonial rites.
Q.2. Minerals in indispensable part of our life. Explain this statement citing an example of toothpaste.
Ans:
Toothpaste cleans your teeth. Abrasive minerals like silica, limestone, aluminium oxide and various phosphate minerals do the cleaning. Fluoride which is used to reduce cavities comes from a mineral fluorite. Most toothpaste is made white with titanium oxide, which comes from minerals called rutile, ilmenite and anatase. The sparkle in some toothpaste comes from mica. The toothbrush and tube containing the paste are made of plastics from petroleum.
Q.3. Do all living things require minerals?
Ans:
Life processes cannot occur without minerals. Although our mineral intake represents only about 0.3 per cent of our total intake of nutrients, they are so potent and so important that without them we would not be able to utilize the other 99.7 per cent of foodstuffs.
Q.4. Define mineral.
Ans:
Geologists define mineral 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.
Q.5. what are rocks?
Ans:
Rocks are combinations of homogenous substances called minerals. Some rocks, for instance limestone, consist of a single mineral only, but majority of the rock consist of several minerals in varying proportions. Although, over 2000 minerals have been identified, only a few are abundantly found in most of the rocks.
Q.6. what does the formation of mineral depend on?
Ans:
A particular mineral that will be formed from a certain combination of elements depends upon the physical and chemical conditions under which the material forms. This, in turn, results in a wide range of colours, hardness, crystal forms, lustre and density that a particular mineral possesses.
Q.7. what is the difference between geographers and geologists while study minerals?
Ans:
Geographers study minerals as part of the earth’s crust for a better understanding of landforms. The distribution of mineral resources and associated economic activities are of interest to geographers. A geologist, however, is interested in the formation of minerals, their age and physical and chemical composition.
Q.8. Define ore.
Ans:
Minerals are usually found in “ores”. The term ore is used to describe an accumulation of any mineral mixed with other elements. The mineral content of the ore must be in sufficient concentration to make its extraction commercially viable. The type of formation or structure in which they are found determines the relative ease with which mineral ores may be mined. This also determines the cost of extraction.
Q.9. Explain the occurrence of minerals in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Ans:
In igneous and metamorphic rocks minerals may occur in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints. The smaller occurrences are called veins and the larger are called lodes. In most cases, they are formed when minerals in liquid/ molten and gaseous forms are forced upward through cavities towards the Earth’s surface. They cool and solidify as they rise. Major metallic minerals like tin, copper, zinc and lead etc. are obtained from veins and lodes.
Q.10. Explain the occurrence of minerals in sedimentary rocks.
Ans:
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 strata. Coal and some forms of iron ore have been concentrated as a result of long periods under great heat and pressure. Another group of sedimentary minerals include gypsum, potash salt and sodium salt. These are formed as a result of evaporation especially in arid regions.
Q.11. How is mineral formed from residual mass of weathered material?
Ans:
Another mode of formation involves the decomposition of surface rocks, and the removal of soluble constituents, leaving a residual mass of weathered material containing ores. Bauxite is formed this way.
Q.12. what is meant by placer deposit?
Ans:
Certain minerals may occur as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors and the base of hills. These deposits are called ‘placer deposits’ and generally contain minerals, which are not corroded by water.
Gold, silver, tin and platinum are most important among such minerals.
Q.13. what is rat hole mining?
Ans:
In most of the tribal areas of the north-east India, minerals are owned by individuals or communities. In Meghalaya, there are large deposits of coal, iron ore, limestone and dolomite etc. Coal mining in Jowai and Cherapunjee is done by family member in the form of a long narrow tunnel, known as ‘Rat hole’ mining.
Q.14. in India minerals are unevenly distributed. Explain.
Ans:
India is fortunate to have fairly rich and varied mineral resources. However, these are unevenly distributed. Broadly speaking, peninsular rocks contain most of the reserves of coal, metallic minerals, mica and many other non-metallic minerals. Sedimentary rocks on the western and eastern flanks of the peninsula, in Gujarat and Assam have most of the petroleum deposits. Rajasthan with the rock systems of the peninsula has reserves of many non-ferrous minerals. The vast alluvial plains of north India are almost devoid of economic minerals. These variations exist largely because of the differences in the geological structure, processes and time involved in the formation of minerals.
Q.15. write a note on ferrous minerals.
Ans:
Ferrous minerals account for about three fourths of the total value of the production of metallic minerals. They provide a strong base for the development of metallurgical industries. India exports substantial quantities of ferrous minerals after meeting her internal demands.
Q.16. which is the finest iron ore?
Ans:
Magnetite is the finest iron ore with a very high content of iron up to 70 per cent. It has excellent magnetic qualities, especially valuable in the electrical industry.
Q.17. which is the most important industrial iron ore in terms of the quantity used?
Ans:
Hematite ore is the most important industrial iron ore in terms of the quantity used, but has slightly lower iron content than magnetite.
Q.18. how did Kudremukh derive its name?
Ans:
Kudre in Kannada means horse. The highest peak in the western ghats of Karnataka resembles the face of a horse. The Bailadila hills look like the hump of an ox, and hence its name.
Q.19. write a short note on major iron ore belts in India.
Ans:
The major iron ore belts in India are:
• Orissa-Jharkhand belt: In Orissa high grade hematite ore is found in Badampahar mines in the Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts. In the adjoining Singbhum district of Jharkhand haematite iron ore is mined in Gua and Noamundi.
• Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt lies in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Very high grade hematites are found in the famous Bailadila range of hills in the Bastar district of Chattisgarh. The range of hills comprises of 14 deposits of super high grade hematite iron ore. It has the best physical properties needed for steel making. Iron ore from these mines is exported to Japan and South Korea via Vishakapatnam port.
• Bellary-Chitradurga-Chikmaglur-Tumkur belt in Karnataka has large reserves of iron ore. The Kudermukh mines located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka are a 100 per cent export unit. Kudremukh deposits are known to be one of the largest in the world. The ore is transported as slurry through a pipeline to a port near Mangalore.
Maharashtra-Goa belt includes the state of Goa and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Though, the ores are not of very high quality, yet they are efficiently exploited. Iron ore is exported through Marmagao port.
Q.20. State the uses of manganese.
Ans:
Manganese is mainly used in the manufacturing of steel and ferro-manganese alloy. Nearly 10 kg of manganese is required to manufacture one tonne of steel. It is also used in manufacturing bleaching powder, insecticides and paints.
Q.21. which state is largest producer of manganese in India?
Ans:
Orissa is the largest producer of manganese ores in India. It accounted for one-third of the country’s total production in 2000-01.
Q.22. Give some examples of non-ferrous minerals.
Ans:
Copper, bauxite, lead, zinc and gold are examples of non-ferrous minerals. They play a vital role in a number of metallurgical, engineering and electrical industries.
Q.23. write a note on copper.
Ans:
India is critically deficient in the reserve and production of copper. Copper is malleable, ductile and a good conductor. Copper is mainly used in electrical cables, electronics and chemical industries. The Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh produce 52 per cent of India’s copper. The Singbhum district of Jharkhand is also a leading producer of copper. The Khetri mines in Rajasthan are also famous.
Q.24. How bauxite deposits are formed?
Ans:
Though, several ores contain aluminium, it is from bauxite, a clay-like substance that alumina and later aluminium is obtained. Bauxite deposits are formed by the decomposition of a wide variety of rocks rich in aluminium silicates.
Q.25. why is aluminium considered as an important metal?
Ans:
Aluminium is an important metal because it combines the strength of metals such as iron, with extreme lightness and also with good conductivity and great malleability.
Q.26. where are bauxite deposits found in India?
Ans:
India’s bauxite deposits are mainly found in the Amarkantak plateau, Maikal hills and the plateau region of Bilaspur- Katni. Orissa is the largest bauxite producing state in India with 45 per cent of the country’s total production in 2000-01. Panchpatmali deposits in Koraput district are the most important bauxite deposits in the state.
Q.27. Explain why mica is one of the most indispensable minerals used in electric and electronic industries?
Ans:
Mica is a mineral made up of a series of plates or leaves. It splits easily into thin sheets. These sheets can be so thin that a thousand can be layered into a mica sheet of a few centimeters high. Mica can be clear, black, green, red yellow or brown. Due to its excellent di-electric strength, low power loss factor, insulating properties and resistance to high voltage, mica is one of the most indispensable minerals used in electric and electronic industries.
Q.28. where are mica deposits found in India?
Ans:
Mica deposits are found in the northern edge of the Chota Nagpur plateau. Koderma Gaya – Hazaribagh belt of Jharkhand is the leading producer. In Rajasthan, the major mica producing area is around Ajmer. Nellore mica belt of Andhra Pradesh is also an important producer in the country.
Q.29. how does limestone occur?
Ans:
Limestone is found in association with rocks composed of calcium carbonates or calcium and magnesium carbonates. It is found in sedimentary rocks of most geological formations. Limestone is the basic raw material for the cement industry and essential for smelting iron ore in the blast furnace.
Q.30. what are hazards of mining?
Ans:
The dust and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases. The risk of collapsing mine roofs, inundation and fires in coalmines are a constant threat to miners. The water sources in the region get contaminated due to mining. Dumping of waste and slurry leads to degradation of land, soil, and increase in stream and river pollution.
Q.31. how can we prevent mining from becoming a “killer industry”?
Ans:
Stricter safety regulations and implementation of environmental laws are essential to prevent mining from becoming a “killer industry”.
Q.32. what steps must be taken to conserve the mineral wealth?
Ans:
A concerted effort has to be made in order to use our mineral resources in a planned and sustainable manner. Improved technologies need to be constantly evolved to allow use of low grade ores at low costs. Recycling of metals, using scrap metals and other substitutes are steps in conserving our mineral resources for the future.
Q.33. How energy resources are classified?
Ans:
Energy resources can be classified as conventional and nonconventional sources. Conventional sources include: firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity (both
hydel and thermal). Non-conventional sources include solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas and atomic energy.
Q.34. Discuss the importance of coal.
Ans:
In India, coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel. It provides a substantial part of the nation’s energy needs. It is used for power generation, to supply energy to industry as well as for domestic needs. India is highly dependent on coal for meeting its commercial energy requirements.
Q.35. what is lignite?
Ans:
Lignite is a low grade brown coal, which is soft with high moisture content. The principal lignite reserves are in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu and are used for generation of electricity.
Q.36. which is the most popular coal in commercial use?
Ans:
Coal that has been buried deep and subjected to increased temperatures is known as bituminous coal.
It is the most popular coal in commercial use. Metallurgical coal is high grade bituminous coal which has a special value for smelting iron in blast furnaces.
Q.37. which is the highest quality hard coal?
Ans:
Anthracite is the highest quality hard coal.
Q.38. state the occurrence of coal in India.
Ans:
In India coal occurs in rock series of two main geological ages, namely Gondwana, a little over 200 million years in age and in tertiary deposits which are only about 55 million years old. The major resources of Gondwana coal, which are metallurgical coal, are located in Damodar valley (West Bengal-Jharkhand). Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro are important coalfields. The Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha valleys also contain coal deposits. Tertiary coals occur in the north eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
Q.39. why heavy industries and thermal power stations are located on or near the coalfields?
Ans:
Coal is a bulky material, which loses weight on use as it is reduced to ash. Hence, heavy industries and thermal power stations are located on or near the coalfields.
Q.40. State the importance of petroleum.
Ans:
Petroleum or mineral oil is the next major energy source in India after coal. It provides fuel for heat and lighting, lubricants for machinery and raw materials for a number of manufacturing industries. Petroleum refineries act as a “nodal industry” for synthetic textile, fertilizer and numerous chemical industries.
Q.41. State the occurrence of petroleum.
Ans:
Most of the petroleum occurrences in India are associated with anticlines and fault traps in the rock formations of the tertiary age. In regions of folding, anticlines or domes, it occurs where oil is trapped in the crest of the upfold. The oil bearing layer is a porous limestone or sandstone through which oil may flow. The oil is prevented from rising or sinking by intervening non-porous layers. Petroleum is also found in fault traps between porous and non-porous rocks. Gas, being lighter usually occurs above the oil.
Q.42. where is petroleum found in India?
Ans:
About 63 per cent of India’s petroleum production is from Mumbai High, 18 per cent from Gujarat and 16 per cent from Assam. Ankeleshwar is the most important field of Gujarat. Assam is the oldest oil producing state of India. Digboi, Naharkatiya and Moran-Hugrijan are the important oil fields in the state.
Q.43. why Natural gas is considered an environment friendly fuel?
Ans:
Natural gas is considered an environment friendly fuel because of low carbon dioxide emissions and is, therefore, the fuel for the present century.
Q.44. In which places large reserves of natural gas has been discovered?
Ans:
Large reserves of natural gas have been discovered in the Krishna- Godavari basin. Along the west coast the reserves of the Mumbai High and allied fields are supplemented by finds in the Gulf of Cambay. Andaman and Nicobar islands are also important areas having large reserves of natural gas.
Q.45. which industries are key users of natural gas?
Ans:
The power and fertilizer industries are the key users of natural gas.
Q.46. how is electricity generated?
Ans:
Electricity is generated mainly in two ways: by running water which drives hydro turbines to generate hydro electricity; and by burning other fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas to drive turbines to produce thermal power.
Q.47. how is hydro-electricity generated?
Ans:
Hydro electricity is generated by fast flowing water, which is a renewable resource. India has a number of multi-purpose projects like the Bhakra Nangal, Damodar Valley Corporation, the Kopili Hydel Project etc. producing hydroelectric power.
Q.48. How is Thermal electricity generated?
Ans:
Thermal electricity is generated by using coal, petroleum and natural gas. The thermal power stations use non-renewable fossil fuels for generating electricity. There are over 310 thermal power plants in India.
Q.49. There is a pressing need to use non-conventional sources of energy. Explain.
Ans:
The growing consumption of energy has resulted in the country becoming increasingly dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. 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. Moreover, increasing use of fossil fuels also causes serious environmental problems. Hence, there is a pressing need to use renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind, tide, biomass and energy from waste material.
Q.50. How nuclear energy is obtained?
Ans:
Nuclear or Atomic Energy is obtained by altering the structure of atoms. When such an alteration is made, much energy is released in the form of heat and this is used to generate electric power.
Q.51. what is used for generating Nuclear power?
Ans:
Uranium and Thorium, which are available in Jharkhand and the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan are used for generating atomic or nuclear power. The Monazite sands of Kerala are also rich in Thorium.
Q.52. where is the largest solar plant of India located?
Ans:
The largest solar plant of India is located at Madhapur, near Bhuj, where solar energy is used to sterlise milk cans.
Q.53. where is the largest wind farm cluster located in India?
Ans:
The largest wind farm cluster is located in Tamil Nadu from Nagarcoil to Madurai. Apart from these, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep have important wind farms. Nagarcoil and Jaisalmer are well known for effective use of wind energy in the country.
Q.54. what is used for the production of biogas?
Ans:
Shrubs, farm waste, animal and human waste are used to produce biogas for domestic consumption in rural areas. Decomposition of organic matter yields gas, which has higher thermal efficiency in comparison to kerosene, dung cake and charcoal.
Q.55. what are gobar gas plants?
Ans:
The plants using cattle dung are known as ‘Gobar gas plants’ in rural India. These provide twin benefits to the farmer in the form of energy and improved quality of manure.
Q.56. what is the most efficient use of cattle dung?
Ans:
Biogas is by far the most efficient use of cattle dung. It improves the quality of manure and also prevents the loss of trees and manure due to burning of fuel wood and cow dung cakes.
Q.57. what is tidal energy?
Ans:
Oceanic tides can be used to generate electricity. Floodgate dams are built across inlets. During high tide water flows into the inlet and gets trapped when the gate is closed. After the tide falls outside the flood gate, the water retained by the floodgate flows back to the sea via a pipe that carries it through a Power generating turbine. In India, the Gulf of Kuchchh, provides ideal conditions for utilizing tidal energy. A 900 mw tidal energy power plant is set up here by the National Hydropower Corporation.
Q.58. Define the geothermal energy.
Ans:
Geothermal energy refers to the heat and electricity produced by using the heat from the interior of the Earth.
Q.59. Name the two experimental projects that have been set up in India to harness geothermal energy.
Ans:
Two experimental projects have been set up in India to harness geothermal energy. One is located in the Parvati valley near Manikarn in Himachal Pradesh and the other is located in the Puga Valley, Ladakh.
BY SUMIT BHADRA
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