Download Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 MCQ with Answers
FAQs on Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 MCQ
1. Which topics from Chapter 5, Minerals and Energy Resources, are most important for the CBSE Class 10 Social Science exam 2025-26?
For the Class 10 board exams, the most important topics from this chapter include:
- Classification of Minerals: Differentiating between metallic (ferrous and non-ferrous) and non-metallic minerals.
- Major Mineral Belts in India: Understanding the location and significance of key mineral belts like the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
- Conventional and Non-conventional Energy Sources: The distinction, examples, and importance of each.
- Conservation: The reasons why conserving both minerals and energy resources is crucial for sustainable development.
Focusing on these areas will cover the majority of expected questions.
2. What type of 5-mark questions are commonly asked from the Minerals and Energy Resources chapter?
Typical 5-mark questions test comprehensive understanding. For the 2025-26 board exam, you can expect questions like:
- 'Why is the conservation of energy resources essential for India? Suggest five measures to conserve energy.'
- 'Explain the different modes in which minerals occur, providing one example for each.'
- 'Describe the distribution of any two major mineral resources in India, such as iron ore and coal.'
- 'Differentiate between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy and explain the potential of solar or wind energy in India.'
3. Why is it more important than ever for India to shift towards non-conventional sources of energy?
Shifting towards non-conventional energy sources is critical for India's sustainable future for several reasons. Firstly, conventional sources like coal and petroleum are finite and are depleting rapidly with increasing industrial and domestic demand. Secondly, they cause significant environmental pollution, contributing to global warming. In contrast, non-conventional sources like solar, wind, and tidal energy are renewable, largely pollution-free, and can enhance India's energy security by reducing dependence on imported fuels.
4. Distinguish between Ferrous and Non-Ferrous minerals with key examples.
The primary distinction between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals lies in their iron content.
- Ferrous Minerals: These minerals contain iron. They form the backbone of metallurgical industries. Key examples include iron ore (like Hematite and Magnetite) and manganese.
- Non-Ferrous Minerals: These minerals do not have iron content. They play a vital role in various industries, from engineering to electronics. Important examples include copper, bauxite (the ore of aluminium), lead, and zinc.
5. How does the way a mineral occurs in nature affect how it is mined and its cost?
The mode of occurrence directly impacts the mining method and economic viability. For instance:
- Minerals found in veins and lodes within igneous and metamorphic rocks, like tin and copper, require expensive underground shaft mining.
- Minerals in beds or layers, such as coal and limestone, are often extracted through open-pit or quarrying methods, which can be more economical.
- Placer deposits, which are alluvial minerals like gold and silver found in valley sands, are collected through panning or hydraulic mining, a relatively simpler process.
Therefore, easily accessible deposits like placer or surface beds are generally less expensive to exploit than deep-seated lodes.
6. What is the importance of Bauxite as a mineral, and which are the major bauxite-producing states in India?
Bauxite is a crucial non-ferrous mineral because it is the primary ore from which aluminium is extracted. Aluminium is valued for its lightness, strength, good conductivity, and malleability, making it essential in industries like aviation, transportation, and construction. The largest producer of bauxite in India is Odisha, followed by other significant states like Gujarat and Jharkhand.
7. While promoting solar energy is a national goal, what are some practical challenges that prevent its widespread adoption in all parts of India?
Despite its immense potential, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of solar energy. These include:
- High Initial Cost: The setup cost for solar panels and infrastructure can be high for individual households and large-scale projects.
- Intermittency: Solar power generation is dependent on weather and is only available during the day, requiring efficient and costly battery storage solutions.
- Land Requirement: Large-scale solar farms require vast tracts of land, which can lead to conflicts over land use, especially in densely populated or agricultural areas.
- Efficiency Issues: The efficiency of photovoltaic cells can decrease in very high temperatures or due to dust accumulation, requiring regular maintenance.
8. Explain the importance of conserving minerals. How can we as students contribute to this effort?
Conserving minerals is vital because they are non-renewable and finite resources, formed over millions of years. The country's industrial development depends heavily on them. As students, we can contribute by adopting the three R's:
- Reduce: Minimise consumption of products that use a high quantity of minerals.
- Reuse: Use items for as long as possible instead of discarding them.
- Recycle: Actively participate in recycling programs for metals like aluminium and steel, which saves a significant amount of energy and reduces the need for fresh mining.
