Extra 30 short-answer questions based on Chapter 3: Minerals and Power Resources (Class 8 Geography).

1. What are minerals?

Minerals are naturally occurring substances with a definite chemical composition. They are formed through geological processes over millions of years.

2. How are minerals classified?

Minerals are classified into:

Metallic Minerals

– e.g., iron, gold, copper.

Non-metallic Minerals

– e.g., mica, limestone.

Energy Minerals

– e.g., coal, petroleum.

3. What are ferrous and non-ferrous minerals? Give examples.

Ferrous minerals

contain iron (e.g., iron ore, manganese).

Non-ferrous minerals

do not contain iron (e.g., copper, bauxite).

4. What is an ore?

An ore is a mineral from which metals can be profitably extracted. For example, bauxite is the ore of aluminium.

5. What are the different methods of mineral extraction?

Mining

– Open-cast and underground mining.

Drilling

– Extracting petroleum and natural gas.

Quarrying

– Removing minerals from shallow deposits.

6. What are conventional and non-conventional power resources?

Conventional resources

: Used for a long time (e.g., coal, petroleum).

Non-conventional resources

: New and renewable (e.g., solar, wind energy).

7. What is open-cast and shaft mining?

Open-cast mining

: Surface mining, where minerals are extracted from shallow depths.

Shaft mining

: Deep mining, where minerals are extracted through tunnels.

8. What are the uses of iron ore?

Iron ore is used to make steel, which is used in construction, machinery, transport, and manufacturing industries.

9. Why is coal called a fossil fuel?

Coal is called a fossil fuel because it is formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals buried millions of years ago.

10. What are the different types of coal?

Anthracite

– Best quality, high carbon content.

Bituminous

– Most commonly used.

Lignite

– Lower quality, brown in

color

.

Peat

– Lowest quality, contains high moisture.

11. What are the advantages of petroleum as a fuel?

It is a cleaner fuel than coal.

It is easy to transport and store.

It has a high energy efficiency.

12. Why is natural gas considered an important energy resource?

Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel, has high energy efficiency, and is used in industries, cooking, and power generation.

13. How is electricity generated from hydropower?

Water stored in dam flows through turbines, which rotate and generate electricity using hydropower stations.

14. What are the advantages of hydropower?

It is a renewable source of energy.

It does not cause pollution.

It helps in water storage and irrigation.

15. What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

Large areas are submerged, causing displacement.

It affects aquatic life.

Dams are expensive to build.

16. What are the uses of bauxite?

Bauxite is used to produce aluminium, which is used in aircraft, utensils, and electrical wires.

17. What is nuclear energy, and how is it produced?

Nuclear energy is produced by nuclear fission in uranium and thorium. It is used in power plants to generate electricity.

18. What are the advantages of nuclear energy?

It produces a large amount of energy.

It does not cause air pollution.

It reduces dependence on fossil fuels.

19. What are the disadvantages of nuclear energy?

Radioactive waste disposal is difficult.

Nuclear accidents can be disastrous.

High initial costs for setting up plants.

20. Why is wind energy considered a renewable resource?

Wind energy is generated by wind turbines and is renewable because wind is naturally available and does not deplete.

21. What are the advantages of wind energy?

It is a pollution-free energy source.

It is renewable and available freely.

It reduces dependence on fossil fuels.

22. What are the limitations of wind energy?

It requires large open spaces.

Wind speeds must be consistent.

Initial setup costs are high.

23. What is solar energy, and how is it used?

Solar energy is obtained from the sun and used for electricity generation, heating, and cooking using solar panels.

24. What are the benefits of solar energy?

It is renewable and abundant.

It does not cause pollution.

It reduces electricity bills.

25. Why is geothermal energy important?

Geothermal energy is generated from Earth’s heat and is used for electricity and heating without pollution.

26. What are biofuels? Give examples.

Biofuels are fuels derived from organic matter like plants and animal waste. Examples: Biogas, ethanol, biodiesel.

27. What are the advantages of tidal energy?

It is renewable and does not cause pollution.

It is highly reliable, as tides occur regularly.

It is an efficient source of power.

28. What are the effects of mining on the environment?

Deforestation and land degradation.

Water pollution from mining waste.

Air pollution due to dust and emissions.

29. How can we conserve minerals?

Recycling and reusing minerals.

Using alternative energy sources.

Mining responsibly with environmental protection.

30. How can we promote the use of renewable energy?

Increasing government policies for renewable energy.

Raising awareness about clean energy benefits.

Reducing dependence on fossil fuels.