Please see Minerals and Energy Resources Exam Questions Class 10 Social Science below. These important questions with solutions have been prepared based on the latest examination guidelines and syllabus issued by CBSE, NCERT, and KVS. We have provided Class 10 Social Science Questions and answers for all chapters in your NCERT Book for Class 10 Social Science. These solved problems for Minerals and Energy Resources in Class 10 Social Science will help you to score more marks in upcoming examinations.
Exam Questions Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Social Science
Objective Type Questions
Question. Thermal electricity is generated by using
(a) Coal
(b) petroleum
(c) natural gas
(d) All of these
Answer : (b) petroleum
Question. Madhapur : Solar plant, ______________ : Geothermal energy plant, Andhra Pradesh : Wind power plant
(a) Haryana
(b) Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Himachal Pradesh
(d) Goa
Answer : (c) Himachal Pradesh
Question. Natural gas is found in association with or without
(a) Coal
(b) Iron
(c) petroleum
(d) None of these
Answer : (c) petroleum
Question. Which of the following minerals are obtained from veins and lodes?
I. Zinc
II. Copper
III. Coal
IV. Bauxite
(a) Only (I) and (II)
(b) Only (II) and (III)
(c) Only (III) and (IV)
(d) All of these
Answer : (a) Only (I) and (II)
Question. Which of the following minerals is obtained from bauxite?
(a) Mica
(b) Copper
(c) Aluminium
(d) Iron
Answer : (c) Aluminium
Question. Jharia is famous for
(a) Iron mines
(b) Coal mines
(c) Nickel
(d) Copper mines
Answer : (b) Coal mines
Question. Which of the following is not non-conventional sources of energy?
(a) Solar energy
(b) Wind energy
(c) Hydroelectricity
(d) Biogas
Answer : (c) Hydroelectricity
Question. Which one of the following fuels is considered environment-friendly?
(a) Coal
(b) Petroleum
(c) Natural gas
(d) Firewood
Answer : (c) Natural gas
Question. The principal lignite reserves are used for
(a) generation of wind power
(b) generation of electricity
(c) generation of thermal power
(d) None of these
Answer : (a) generation of wind power
Question. Minerals occur in igneous and metamorphic rocks in
(a) the veins and the lodes
(b) layers
(c) alluvial deposits
(d) the decomposed surface rocks
Answer : (a) the veins and the lodes
Question. Which metal has a very high content of iron up to 70 per cent?
(a) Magnetite ore
(b) Limonite ore
(c) Hematite ore
(d) Siderite ore
Answer : (a) Magnetite ore
Question. Which one is not a conventional source of energy?
(a) Coal
(b) Biogas
(c) Firewood
(d) Petroleum
Answer : (b) Biogas
Question. Which of the following is fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas?
(a) Atomic energy
(b) Solar energy
(c) Tidal energy
(d) Atomic energy
Answer : (b) Solar energy
Question. Geologists define ______________ as a homogenous naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure.
Answer : mineral
Question. ______________ is formed due to evaporation.
Answer : Gypsum
Question. Minerals are usually found in ______________ .
Answer : Ores
Question. Limestone is found in association with ______________ composed of calcium carbonates or calcium and magnesium carbonates.
Answer : rocks
Question. Odisha is the largest producer of manganese ores in India.
Answer : True
Question. Identify the belt of iron ore with the help of the following features.
• In Odisha high grade hematite ore is found.
• It is found in Badampahar mines in the Mayurbhauj and Kendujhar districts.
• In the adjoining Singbhum district of Jharkhand hematite iron ore is mined in Gua and Noamudi.
Answer : Odisha: Jharkhand belt
Question. Identify the minerals with the help of the following features.
• 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.
Answer : Ferrous minerals
Question. Identify the plateau with the help of the following features.
• A storehouse of minerals
• Has very high grade hematite iron ore
• Most of the mica deposits are found in its northern edge.
Answer : Chota Nagpur plateau
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question. Why are heavy industries and thermal power stations located on or near the coalfields?
Answer : 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.
Question. Which regions of India provide ideal conditions for utilising tidal energy?
Answer : In India the gulf of Khambhat, the gulf of Kuchchh in Gujarat on the western coast and Gangetic delta in Sunderban regions of West Bengal provide ideal conditions for utilising tidal energy.
Question. Where are the geothermal plants located in India?
Answer : Two experimental projects have been set up in India to harness geothermal energy. One is located in the Parvati valley near Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh and the other is located in the Puga valley, Ladakh.
Question. What are the uses of petroleum or mineral oil?
Answer : Petroleum or mineral oil provides fuel for heat and lighting, lubricants for machinery and raw materials for a number of manufacturing industries.
Question. How many minerals have been identified so far?
Answer : Over 2000 minerals have been identified.
Question. What are ore, veins and lodes?
Answer : Ore is an accumulation of any mineral mixed with other elements. Veins are the small occurence of minerals in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints in the igneous and metamorphic rocks, whereas the larger ones are called lodes.
Question. What are the twin planks of sustainable energy?
Answer : Promotion of energy conservation and increased use of renewable energy sources are the twin planks of sustainable energy.
Question. How are thermal electricity generated?
Answer : Thermal electricity is generated by burning fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas to drive turbines to produce thermal power.
Question. How is nuclear or atomic energy obtained?
Answer : Nuclear energy is obtained by altering the structure of atoms. When such an alteration is made, energy is released in the form of heat which is used to generate electricity.
Question. Name the mineral which is used to harden steel during manufacturing.
Answer : (i) Magnetite is the finest iron ore with a very high content of iron up to 70%.
(ii) It has excellent magnetic qualities, expecially valuable in the electrical industry.
(iii) Hematite ore is the most important industrial iron ore in terms of the quantity used, but has a slightly lower iron content than magnetite.
Question. What is mica?
Answer : Mica is a mineral made of a series of plates or leaves.
Question. How is hydro-electricity generated?
Answer : Hydro electricity is generated by fast flowing water which drives hydro turbines to generate electricity.
Question. How is solar energy produced?
Answer : Solar energy is produced by tapping solar energy through photovoltaic technology which converts sunlight directly into electricity.
Question. What are non-ferrous minerals? Give two examples.
Answer : Metallic minerals which does not contain iron are known as non-ferrous minerals e.g. bauxite, copper, etc.
Question. In which rocks is limestone found?
Answer : Limestone is found in sedimentary rocks.
Question. Which energy resource is gaining wide popularity in the country?
Answer : Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles to replace liquid fuels is gaining wide popularity in the country.
Question. Name the areas where the largest wind farm cluster located in Tamil Nadu.
Answer : The largest wind farm cluster is located in Tamil Nadu from Nagarcoil to Madurai.
Question. Give examples of conventional sources of energy.
Answer : Firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity.
Question. Name the highest quality and lowest quality of coal.
Answer : Anthracite is the highest quality of coal. Peat is the lowest quality of coal.
Short Answer Type Questions
Question. Describe any three importance of coal as a source of energy.
Answer : Importance of coal as a source of energy in India are:
(i) Coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India.
(ii) It provides a substantial part of the nation’s energy needs.
(iii) It is used for power generation.
(iv) It supplies energy to industry as well as for domestic needs.
Question. Which are the potential sources of biogas? State any four benefits of biogas.
Answer : Potential sources of biogas are shrubs, farm wastes, animal, human waste, etc.
Four benefits of biogas are:
(i) Its calorific value is high.
(ii) It burns without smoke, causing no pollution.
(iii) It is the cheapest gaseous fuel.
(iv) Its plants provide twin benefits to the farmer in the form of energy and improved quality of manure.
Question. Classify the minerals with examples.
Answer : Minerals are broadly classified into three categories:
(i) Metallic minerals: It is further classified into ferrous e.g. iron ore, manganese, nickel, cobalt etc.
Non-ferrous e.g. copper, lead, tin, bauxite, etc. and precious metals e.g. gold, silver, platinum, etc.
(ii) Non-Metallic minerals: Minerals that do not contain metals are known as non-metallic, e.g. mica, salt, potash, sulphur, limestone, sandstone, etc.
(iii) Energy minerals: Minerals from which energy resources are obtained, e.g. coal, petroleum, natural gas.
Question. What are the uses of manganese?
Answer : (i) Manganese is mainly used in the manufacturing of steel and ferro-manganese alloy.
(ii) Nearly 10 kg of manganese is required to manufacture one tonne of steel.
(iii) It is also used in manufacturing bleaching powder, insecticides and paints.
Question. Give an account of copper ore in India.
Answer : (i) India is critically deficient in the reserve and production of copper.
(ii) Being malleable, ductile and a good conductor, copper is mainly used in electrical cables, electronics and chemical industries.
(iii) The Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh, Khetri mines in Rajasthan and Singhbhum district of Jharkhand are leading producers of copper.
Question. Give an account of limestone.
Answer : (i) Limestone is found in association with rocks composed of calcium carbonates or calcium and magnesium carbonates.
(ii) It is found in sedimentary rocks of most geological formation.
(iii) Limestone is the basic raw material for the cement industry and essential for smelting iron ore in the blast furnace.
Question. What are the main characteristics of bituminous coal?
Answer : (i) Bituminous coal has been buried deep and subjected to increased temperatures.
(ii) It is the most popular coal in commercial use.
(iii) It is a high grade metallurgical coal which has special value for smelting iron in blast furnaces.
Question. Give an account of distribution and production of petroleum in India.
Answer : (i) About 63 per cent of India’s petroleum production is from Mumbai High, which is an offshore oil field located in Arabian sea.
(ii) 18% of petroleum is produced from Gujarat. Ankaleshwar, Hazira and Kalol are important oil fields of Gujarat.
(iii) Assam is the oldest oil producing state of India. It produces 16 percent of total production. Digboi, Naharkatiya and Moran-Hugrijan are the important oil fields in the state.
Question. How are minerals formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
Answer : (i) 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.
(ii) 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.
(iii) Major metallic minerals like copper, zinc, tin, lead, etc. are obtained from veins and lodes in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Question. Explain the importance of Bellari-Chitradurga-Chikkamagaluru-Tumakuru belt in Karnataka.
Answer : (i) Bellari-Chitradurga-Chikkamagaluru- Tumakuru belt in Karnataka has large reserves of iron ore.
(ii) The Kudremukh mines located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka are a 100% export unit. Kudremukh deposits are known to be one is trasported as slurry through a pipeline to a port near Mangaluru.
Question. Which energy is produced by ocean water? How is it generated?
Answer : Tidal energy is produced by oceanic water.
(i) Oceanic tides can be used to generate electricity by building floodgate dams across inlets.
(ii) During high tide, water flows into the inlet and gets trapped when the gate is closed.
(iii) After the tide falls outside the floodgate, the water retained by the floodgate flows back to the sea via a pipe that carries it through power-generating turbine.
Question. Explain any three different forms in which minerals generally occur.
Answer : (i) Minerals occur in the form of veins and lodes (in igneous and metamorphic rocks).
(ii) In sedimentary rocks, a number of minerals occur in beds and layers.
(iii) As residual mass of weathered materials.
(iv) As alluvial deposits in ocean waters.
Question. What are the different types of iron ore? Give details.
Answer : Manganese is used to harden steel during manufacturing.
Question. Name the mineral ore from which aluminium is extracted. Why is it gaining importance? Give its distribution in India.
Answer : (i) Bauxite.
(ii) Aluminium is gaining importance because of its extreme lightness, good conductivity and great malleability. It combines the strength of metals such as iron.
(iii) It is mainly found in Amarkantak Plateau, Maikal Hills and the plateau region of Bilaspur-Katni. Koraput district in Odisha has large deposits. Odisha is the largest bauxite producing state. Others are Gujarat, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Question. What are the main characteristics and importance of mica?
Answer : (i) Mica is a minerals made up of a series of plates or leaves. It splits easily into thin sheets. These sheets can be layered into a mica sheet of a few centimeters width.
(ii) Mica can be clear, black, green, yellow or brown.
(iii) 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 industry.
Question. Why is mining called a killer industry?
Answer : (i) The dust and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary disease.
(ii) The risk of collapsing mine roofs, inundation and fires in coalmines are constant threat to miners.
(iii) The water sources in the region get contaminated due to mining. Dumping of waste and slurry leads to degradation of land, soil and increases stream and river pollution.
Question. Classify the energy resources and give their description.
Answer : Energy resources can be classified as conventional and non-conventional sources.
(i) Conventional sources include firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity.
(ii) Non-Conventional sources include solar, wind, tidal, geo-thermal, biogas and atomic energy.
Question. What are the uses of copper? Name the two leading copper producing states of India.
Answer : Uses of copper:
(i) In manufacturing electrical cables.
(ii) In electronic industries.
(iii) In chemical industries.
The two leading copper producing states of India are Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Question. Give an account of distribution and production of mica in India.
Answer : (i) Mica deposits are found in the northern edge of the Chhota Nagpur plateau. Koderma-Gaya-Hazaribagh belt of Jharkhand is the leading producer.
(ii) In Rajasthan, the major mica producing area is around Ajmer.
(iii) Nellore mica belt of Andhra Pradesh is also an important mica producer in the country.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question. Which is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India? How is it formed? Describe its main characteristics and uses.
OR
Which is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India? Assess the importance of its different forms.
Answer : Coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India. It is formed due to the compression of plant material over millions of years.
Coal is found in a variety of forms depending on the degrees of compression and the depth and time of burial.
(i) Peat: Decaying plants in swamps produce peat. It has a low carbon and high moisture contents and low heating capacity.
(ii) Lignite: It is a low grade brown coal, which is soft with high moisture content.
(iii) Bituminous: Coal that has been buried deep and subjected to increased temperature is known as bituminous coal. It is most popular coal in commercial use.
(iv) Anthracite: It is the highest quality of hard coal.
Uses:
(i) It is used for power generation, to supply energy to industry as well as for domestic needs.
(ii) India is highly dependent on coal for meeting its commercial energy requirements.
Question. Why is energy needed? How can we conserve energy resources? Explain.
Answer : Energy is required for all activities. It is needed to cook, to provide light and heat, to propel vehicles and to drive machinery in industries.
To conserve energy resources:
(i) Energy is a basic requirement for economic development. Hence, there is an urgent need of develop a sustainable path of energy development. Promotion of energy development. Promotion of energy conservation and increased use of renewable energy sources are the twin planks of sustainable energy.
(ii) We have to adopt a cautious approach for the judicious use of our limited energy resources. As concerned citizens we can do our bit by using public transport system instead of individual vehicles.
(iii) Switching off electricity when not in use, using power-saving devices and using non-conventional sources of energy are other important steps for saving energy.
Question. Why are minerals important for us? Explain with examples.
OR
Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives? Support the statement with examples.
Answer : (i) Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives. Almost everything we use, from a tiny pin to a towering building or a ship, all are made from minerals.
(ii) The railway lines and the tarmac of the roads, our implements and machinery too are made from minerals.
(iii) Cars, buses, trains, aeroplanes are manufactured from minerals and run on power resources derived from the earth.
(iv) Even the food that we eat contains minerals.
(v) In all stages of development, human beings have used minerals for their livelihood, decoration, festivities, religious and ceremonial rites.
Question. ‘Consumption of energy in all forms has been rising all over the country. There is an urgent need to develop a sustainable path of energy development and energy saving.’ Suggest and explain any three measures to solve this burning problem.
OR
“Energy saved is energy produced.” Assess the statement.
Answer : (i) Energy is a basic requirement for economic development. Hence, there is an urgent need of develop a sustainable path of energy development. Promotion of energy development. Promotion of energy conservation and increased use of renewable energy sources are the twin planks of sustainable energy.
(ii) We have to adopt a cautious approach for the judicious use of our limited energy resources. As concerned citizens we can do our bit by using public transport system instead of individual vehicles.
(iii) Switching off electricity when not in use, using power-saving devices and using non-conventional sources of energy are other important steps for saving energy.
Question. India is fortunate to have fairly rich and varied mineral resources. Justify the statement.
Answer : India is fortunate to have fairly rich and varied mineral resources. It can be justified in the following points:
(i) Peninsular rocks contain most of the reserves of coal, metallic minerals, mica and many other non-metallic minerals.
(ii) Sedimentary rocks on the western and eastern flanks of the peninsula, in Gujarat and Assam have most of the petroleum deposits.
(iii) Rajasthan with the rock systems of the peninsula, has reserves of many non-ferrous minerals.
(iv) The vast alluvial plains of north-India are almost devoid of economic minerals.
(v) These variations exist largely because of the differences in the geological structure, processes and time involved in the formation of minerals.
Question. Describe the major iron ore belts in India in detail.
Answer : The major iron ore belts in India are:
(i) Odisha-Jharkhand belt: High grade hematite ore is found in Badampahar mines in the Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts in Odisha. In Singhbhum district of Jharkhand hematite iron ore is mined in Gua and Noamundi.
(ii) Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt: It lies in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Very high grade hematites are found in the famous Bailadila range of hills in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
Iron ore from these mines is exported to Japan and South Korea via Vishakhapatnam port.
(iii) Ballari-Chitradurga-Chikkamagaluru-Tumakuru belt: It lies in Karnataka and has large reserves of iron ore. Kudremukh mines located in the western Ghats of Karnataka are a 100% 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 Mangaluru.
(iv) Maharashtra-Goa belt: It includes the state of Goa and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. The ores are not of very high quality. Yet they are efficiently exploited and exported through port.
Question. Why is the natural gas considered the fuel for the present century? What are its uses? Give an account of distribution and production of natural gas in India.
Answer : Due to low carbon dioxide emissions natural gas is considered an eco-friendly fuel and the fuel for the present century. Natural gas is used as a source of energy as well as an industrial raw material in the petroleum industry.
Production and Distribution:
(i) Large reserves of natural gas have been discovered in the Krishna-Godavari basin.
(ii) Along the west coast the reserves of Mumbai High and allied fields are supplemented by finds in the Gulf of Combay.
Question. Describe any three non-conventional sources of energy.
Answer : Non-conventional sources of energy are:
(i) Solar Energy: India is a tropical country. It has enormous possibilities of trapping solar energy. Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity. Solar energy is fastly becoming popular in rural and remote areas.
(ii) Wind Energy: India now ranks as a ‘wind super power’ in the world. The largest wind farm cluster is located in Tamil Nadu from Nagercoil to Madurai. Apart from these, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra and Lakshdweep have important wind farms. Nagercoil and Jaisalmer are well-known for effective use of wind energy in the country.
(iii) Biogas: Shrubs, farm waste, animal and human waste are used to produce biogas for domestic consumption in rural areas. Biogas 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.
Case Based Questions
Question. Read the source given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate option.
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. As you are already aware that coal is formed due the compression of plant material over millions of years. Coal, therefore, is found in a variety of forms depending on the degrees of compression and the depth and time of burial. Decaying plants in swamps produce peat which has a low carbon and high moisture contents and low heating capacity. 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. Coal that has been buried deep and subjected to increased temperatures is 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. Anthracite is the highest quality hard coal.
(i) The best quality of coal is _________ with __________ is a low grade brown coal.
(a) Metallurgical; Anthracite
(b) Lignite; Anthracite
(c) Anthracite; Lignite
(d) Peat; Lemonite
Answer : (c) Anthracite; Lignite
(ii) Coal provides a substantial part of the nation’s energy needs. Identify which state the following coal mines belong to:
Choose the correct option–
(a) a–2, b–1, c–4, d–3
(b) a–2, b–4, c–1, d–3
(c) a–3, b–4, c–3, d–2
(d) a–4, b–3, c–2, d–1
Answer : (b) a–2, b–4, c–1, d–3
(iii) Name two conventional sources of energy.
Answer : Coal and Petroleum
(iv) Which kind of coal is mostly used for commercial purpose?
Answer : Nituminous Coal
