NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Minerals and Energy Resources

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 5 Minerals and Energy Resources are given here. With these solutions, you will learn the right way to write answers to the questions perfectly in exams. We have updated the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Minerals and Energy Resources for the current session so that you can easily score high marks in the exams. You can also download PDF of the solutions and use them whenever you are offline.

Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 5 NCERT Solutions

1: Multiple choice questions

(i) Which one of the following minerals is formed by decomposition of rocks, leaving aresidual mass of weathered material?
(a) Coal
(b) Bauxite
(c ) Gold
(d) Zinc

Answer: (b) bauxite

(ii) Koderma, in Jharkhand is the leading producer of which one of the following minerals?
(a) bauxite             
(b) mica                 
(c) iron ore            
(d) copper

Answer: (b) mica

(iii) Minerals are deposited and accumulated in the stratas of which of the following rocks?
(a) sedimentary rocks
(b) metamorphic rocks
(c) igneous rocks
(d) none of the above

Answer: (a) sedimentary rocks

(iv) Which one of the following minerals is contained in the Monazite sand?
(a) oil
(b) uranium 
(c) thorium
(d) coal

Answer: (c) thorium

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.

Answer: (i) (a) Minerals containing iron are called ferrous minerals, e.g., iron ore and manganese. Minerals which do not contain iron are called non-ferrous minerals, e.g., bauxite, lead and gold.

(b) Conventional sources of energy are generally exhaustible and polluting, e.g., firewood, coal and petroleum. Non – conventional sources of energy are usually inexhaustible and non-polluting, e.g., solar, wind, tidal and atomic energy.

(ii) What is a mineral?

Answer: A mineral is a homogeneous, naturally occurring substance with a definable interior structure. Minerals are formed by a combination of elements, and the mining of some minerals is very profitable.

(iii) How are minerals formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks?

Answer: In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals may occur in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints. The smaller deposits are called veins and the larger ones are called lodes. When the minerals in liquid/ molten and gaseous forms are forced upward through cavities towards the earth’s surface, they cool down and solidify to form veins or lodes. Metallic minerals like tin, copper, zinc and lead are obtained from veins and lodes.

(iv) Why do we need to conserve mineral resources?

Answer: We need to conserve mineral resources as they are limited on the earth. It takes billions of years for them to be replenished in nature. Continued extraction of ores leads to increasing costs of extraction and a decrease in quality as well as quantity. It takes millions of years for the formation of minerals. Thus, as compared to the current rate of consumption, the rate of replenishment of minerals is very slow.

3: Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Describe the distribution of coal in India.

Answer: In India, major coal deposits are found on the eastern side of the country. Some of the main sites of coal are described below:

  • In India, coal occurs in rock series of two main geological ages Gondwana (200 million years old) and tertiary (55 million years old).
  • The major resources of Gondwana or metallurgical coal are located in the Damodar valley (West Bengal, Jharkhand), Jharia, Raniganj and Bokaro.
  • The Godavari, Mahandi, Son and Wardha valleys also contain coal deposits.
  • Tertiary coals occur in the north-eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

(ii) Why do you think that solar energy has a bright future in India?

Answer: Being a tropical country, India has an abundance of sunlight. Hence, there are huge possibilities of tapping solar energy. Solar energy is a non-conventional source of energy, but it is gaining popularity in rural and remote areas whose households’ dependence on firewood and dung cakes is reduced as a result. This in turn helps in conserving environment and ensuring an adequate supply of manure in agriculture.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Minerals and Energy Resources: Chapter Overview

Minerals are an essential part of our lives. Almost everything we use made from minerals. Even the food that we eat contains minerals. In this chapter, you will learn about the types of minerals such as ferrous minerals, non-ferrous minerals, rock materials and non-metallic materials. Further, going through the chapter, you will learn about some essential minerals such as copper, iron, manganese, bauxite etc and the conservation of minerals. At the last section of the chapter, you will study about energy resources and conservation of energy resources.