Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Question Answers with Explanations
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Minerals and Energy Resources by Vedantu offers a comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide for students. Mineral And Energy Resources Class 10 Question Answer helps you learn about the various types of minerals found in India, their distribution, and their uses. The important topics related to energy resources include conventional and non-conventional sources.
Table of Content
Class 10 Geography NCERT Solutions provides detailed answers to all questions in the NCERT textbook. Minerals And Energy Resources Class 10 provides answers to all the questions in this chapter. Download the FREE PDF prepared by Vedantu Master Teachers, updated according to the CBSE Class 10 Social Science Syllabus.
Glance on NCERT Solutions for Geography Class 10 Chapter 5 Minerals and Energy Resources
Minerals And Energy Resources Class 10 Questions And Answers explains what are metallic minerals like iron, and copper, and non-metallic minerals like limestone and mica.
The distribution of minerals across different regions of India is given in Minerals And Energy Resources Class 10 Questions And Answers such as the Chota Nagpur plateau known for iron ore.
The conventional sources like coal and petroleum, and non-conventional sources like solar and wind energy are detailed in Mineral And Energy Resources Class 10.
The industrial and economic significance of minerals and energy resources in daily life and national development are clearly explained.
The policies and initiatives aimed at sustainable management and utilisation of these resources are explained in Geography Class 10 Chapter 5.
FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Chapter 5 Minerals and Energy Resources - 2025-26
1. How do the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals?
According to the NCERT Solutions, the distinction is based on the presence of iron content:
- Ferrous Minerals: These are metallic minerals that contain iron. They are fundamental to metallurgical industries. Key examples include iron ore, manganese, nickel, and cobalt.
- Non-ferrous Minerals: These metallic minerals do not contain iron. They play a vital role in various industries, from electrical to engineering. Examples include copper, bauxite, lead, zinc, and gold.
2. What is the correct step-by-step method to differentiate conventional and non-conventional sources of energy as per the CBSE 2025-26 syllabus?
The correct method is to classify them based on their usage history and environmental impact:
- Conventional Sources: These are traditional energy sources that have been in common use for a long time and are mostly non-renewable. This category includes firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
- Non-conventional Sources: These are newer, alternative sources of energy that are generally renewable and considered more environmentally friendly. This category includes solar energy, wind power, tidal energy, geothermal energy, and biogas.
3. How are minerals formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks, as explained in the NCERT solutions?
In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals typically occur in the cracks, crevices, faults, or joints. The formation process involves molten and gaseous minerals being forced upward through cavities towards the Earth's surface. They cool and solidify as they rise. Smaller occurrences in these forms are called veins, and larger ones are known as lodes.
4. Why is the conservation of mineral resources essential, according to the Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 solution?
The NCERT solutions explain that mineral conservation is crucial for several reasons:
- Finite Resources: Mineral deposits form an insignificant fraction (only 1%) of the earth's crust and are non-renewable.
- Slow Replenishment: The geological processes of mineral formation are extremely slow, taking millions of years. Our rate of consumption far exceeds the rate of replenishment.
- Future Generations: Conservation is necessary to ensure these valuable resources are available for future generations.
- Sustainable Development: Continued extraction at the current rate is not sustainable and can have severe environmental consequences.
5. How does the NCERT solution describe the distribution of coal in India?
The solution outlines that coal in India is found in rock series of two main geological ages:
- Gondwana Coal: This is over 200 million years old. Major resources are located in the Damodar Valley (West Bengal-Jharkhand), which includes important coalfields like Jharia and Raniganj, as well as the Godavari, Mahanadi, Son, and Wardha valleys.
- Tertiary Coal: This is about 55 million years old and is found mainly in the northeastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.
6. Why is solar energy considered to have a bright future in India, based on the concepts in Chapter 5?
The NCERT solutions highlight that solar energy's future is bright in India because India is a tropical country with immense possibilities for tapping solar power. It is becoming popular in rural and remote areas as it can be established in decentralised locations. This reduces the dependence of rural households on firewood and dung cakes, which contributes to environmental conservation and provides an adequate supply of manure for agriculture.
7. Where can I find the complete NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 for the 2025-26 session?
You can find comprehensive, step-by-step NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 5, 'Minerals and Energy Resources,' right here on this Vedantu page. All answers are prepared by subject matter experts and are updated as per the latest CBSE 2025-26 syllabus, ensuring accuracy and alignment with the curriculum.
8. If minerals are concentrated in specific regions like the Chota Nagpur plateau, how does this uneven distribution impact India's overall development?
The uneven distribution of mineral resources is a critical factor in regional development. Areas rich in minerals, like the Chota Nagpur plateau, often become hubs for mining and heavy industries, leading to job creation and economic growth in that region. However, it can also lead to regional imbalances, where mineral-poor states lag in industrialisation. This disparity often influences national economic policies, infrastructure development (like freight corridors), and can sometimes lead to social and environmental challenges in the resource-rich areas.
9. Beyond being non-renewable, why is it not always economically practical to mine all discovered mineral reserves?
The economic viability of mining a mineral reserve depends on several factors beyond its mere existence. As per the concepts in this chapter, a mineral must be present in a sufficient concentration in the ore to be considered for extraction. If the concentration is too low, the cost of extraction, purification, and transportation may exceed the market value of the final mineral, making the mining operation unprofitable. Therefore, a 'reserve' is that part of a mineral deposit that can be mined profitably with current technology.
10. How can solving the NCERT textbook questions for Chapter 5 help in understanding the real-world problem of energy transition?
Solving the NCERT questions, particularly those distinguishing between conventional and non-conventional energy sources, provides the foundational knowledge to understand the global energy transition. The questions on why we need to conserve resources and the future of solar energy directly address the core issues of this transition: the depletion of fossil fuels and the need for sustainable, cleaner alternatives. This helps in appreciating the government policies and individual efforts required to shift towards a more sustainable energy future.
11. What are the practical solutions suggested in Chapter 5 to mitigate the environmental damage caused by mining activities?
The chapter implicitly suggests a multi-pronged approach to solve the environmental problems of mining:
- Strict Regulations: Implementing and enforcing stronger environmental laws to prevent pollution and ensure miner safety.
- Technological Upgradation: Using modern and efficient mining technologies that minimise waste and environmental impact.
- Sustainable Practices: A planned and concerted effort to use mineral resources sustainably, which includes recycling metals.
- Rehabilitation: Undertaking afforestation and land reclamation projects in areas where mining has ceased to restore the ecosystem.
