Mineral and Power Resources

Q61. What are the advantages and disadvantages of crude oil?

Ans. Advantages

                        i.        Easier to transport (tankers).

                       ii.        Basis of petro-chemical industry.

Disadvantages

                        i.        Depletion of oxygen due to oil spillage.

                       ii.        Pollutants released caused acid rain.

                      iii.        Exploration of new fuel is not easy.

Q62. What are the advantages and disadvantages of coal?

Ans. Advantages

                        i.        Extensively available.

                       ii.        Efficient conversion to electricity.

Disadvantages

                        i.        Polluting source.

                       ii.        Bulky to transport.

Q63. What are the advantages of biogas over natural gas?

Ans.  Advantages of biogas over natural gas

                       i.        Biogas is non-conventional source of energy whereas natural gas is a conventional source of energy

                      ii.        Biogas is renewable source of energy whereas natural gas is non- renewable.

                     iii.        Biogas is cheaper compared to natural gas.

Q64. How can quarrying become a major environmental concern?

Ans. Quarrying can become a major environmental concern because of the following reasons:

                        i.        Dust from quarry sites causes air pollution.

                       ii.        It involves several activities that generate significant amounts of noise.

                      iii.        It causes damage to the biodiversity of the place.

                      iv.        It produces significant amounts of waste material that cause damage to the environment.

Q65. What are the advantages and disadvantages of natural gas?

Ans. Advantages

                        i.        Easier to transport (pipelines).

                       ii.        Cleaner than oil and coal.

                      iii.        Cheaper than oil.

Disadvantages

                        i.        Depletion of oxygen due to gas leakage.

                       ii.        Pollutants released caused acid rain.

                      iii.        Exploration of new fuel is not easy.

Q66. What are the common uses of minerals?
Or
List uses of any three minerals.

Ans.  Minerals are used in many industries. Minerals which are used for gems are usually hard. These are then set in various styles for jewellery. Copper is another metal used in everything from coins to pipes. Silicon, used in the computer industry is obtained from quartz. Aluminum obtained from its ore bauxite is used in automobiles and airplanes, bottling industry, buildings and even in kitchen cookware.

Q67. Write a short note on distribution of minerals in South America.

Ans.  Brazil is the largest producer of high grade iron-ore in the world. Chile and Peru are leading producers of copper. Brazil and Bolivia are among the world’s largest producers of tin. South America also has large deposits of gold, silver, zinc, chromium, manganese, bauxite, mica, platinum, asbestos and diamond. Mineral oil is found in Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Columbia.

Q68. What are the advantages and disadvantages of hydel power?

Ans. Advantages

                        i.        Non-Polluting.

                       ii.        Promotes irrigation and fishing.

                      iii.        Cheap.

Disadvantages

                        i.        Displacement of local community.

                       ii.        Inundates low.

                      iii.        Expensive to set up.

Q69. What has led to the tapping of various non-conventional source of energy?
Or
Why is there a need for harnessing non-conventional sources of energy?

Ans. The sharp increase in our consumption of fossil fuels has led to their depletion at an alarming rate. The toxic pollutants released from burning these fuels are also a cause for concern. Unchecked burning of fossil fuel is like an unchecked dripping tap which will eventually run dry. This has led to the tapping of various nonconventional sources of energy that are cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels.