Class 10 Geography Chapter 5- Minerals and Energy Resources Notes

 

Class 10 Geography

Chapter 5- Minerals and Energy Resources

Notes

Minerals and Energy Resources Class 10 Notes

1. Minerals:

a) A mineral is an intrinsic, naturally occurring substance characterized by a discernible internal structure.

b) Minerals manifest in various configurations in nature, spanning from the toughest diamond to the softest talc.

2. Mode of Occurrence of Minerals: Factors influencing the commercial viability of mineral extraction include:

a) The concentration of minerals within the ore.

b) The ease of extraction.

c) Proximity to the market.

3. Minerals typically manifest in the following manners:

a) In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals may be found within crevices, faults, or joints, with smaller occurrences referred to as veins and larger ones as lodes.

 b) Major metallic minerals such as tin, copper, zinc, and lead are sourced from veins and lodes.

c) In sedimentary rocks, minerals occur in beds or layers formed through deposition, accumulation, and horizontal strata concentration.

d) Certain sedimentary minerals like gypsum, potash salt, and sodium salt are products of evaporation, particularly in arid climates.

e) Decomposition of surface rocks and removal of soluble components leave behind a residual mass of weathered material containing ores, with bauxite formed in this manner.

 f) Some minerals occur as alluvial deposits in valley floor sands and at the base of hills, termed placer deposits.

g) Minerals like gold, silver, tin, and platinum are primarily found in such deposits.

h) Ocean waters harbor significant mineral quantities, including common salt, magnesium, and bromine.

4. Ferrous Minerals - Iron Ore: Iron ore consists of:

a) Magnetite: A superior iron ore with up to 70% iron content.

 b) Hematite: Featuring a slightly lower iron content of 50-60%.

5. Key iron ore belts in India include:

a) The Odisha-Jharkhand belt: High-grade hematite ore is found in the Badampahar mines in the Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts of Odisha.

 b) The Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt: Located in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, this belt boasts very high-grade hematites, notably in the famous Bailadila range of hills in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, prized for its ideal physical properties in steel production.

c) The Ballari-Chitradurga-Chikkamagaluru-Tumakuru belt in Karnataka hosts extensive reserves of iron ore, with the Kudremukh deposits recognized as among the largest globally.

d) The Maharashtra-Goa belt encompasses the state of Goa and the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

6. Manganese: Uses of manganese ore encompass:

a) Its role in steel manufacturing and the production of ferromanganese alloys.

 b) Utilization in the creation of bleaching powder.

c) Incorporation into insecticides.

d) Contribution to paint manufacturing.

7. Non-Ferrous Minerals –

A. Copper:

 a) Due to its malleability, ductility, and excellent conductivity, copper finds extensive application in electrical cables, electronics, and chemical industries.

b) Key copper production centers include the Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh, the Khetri mines in Rajasthan, and the Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.

B. Bauxite: Formation: Bauxite deposits originate from the decomposition of diverse rocks rich in aluminum silicates. Uses:

a) Bauxite serves as a clay-like substance from which alumina and subsequently aluminum are derived.

b) Aluminum, a crucial metal, boasts the strength of metals like iron while being exceptionally lightweight, conductive, and malleable.

Distribution:

a) Bauxite reserves are distributed across the Amarkantak Plateau, Maikal Hills, and the plateau region of Bilaspur-Katni.

 b) Odisha stands as the foremost bauxite-producing state in India.

8. Non-Metallic Minerals –

Mica: Mica, comprising a series of plates or leaves, effortlessly splits into thin sheets and holds paramount importance in electrical and electronic industries owing to:

a) Its exceptional dielectric strength.

b) Low power loss factor.

c) Insulating properties.

d) Resilience to high voltage.

Rock Minerals - Limestone:

 a) Found in conjunction with rocks containing calcium carbonates or calcium and magnesium carbonates.

b) Predominantly located within sedimentary rocks across various geological formations.

c) Serving as the fundamental raw material for the cement industry, limestone plays an indispensable role in smelting iron ore within blast furnaces.

9. Hazards of Mining:

Miners face various challenges, including:

 a) Working in harsh conditions devoid of natural light.

b) The constant threat of mine roof collapse, flooding, and fire.

 c) High susceptibility to pulmonary disorders due to prolonged exposure to hazardous substances.

10. Environmental Damage:

a) Contamination of water sources in the area due to mining activities.

b) Degradation of land and soil, along with increased pollution of streams and rivers due to the dumping of waste and slurry.

11. Conservation of Minerals:

The conservation of minerals is imperative because:

a) Industries and agriculture heavily rely on mineral deposits and derived substances.

 b) Geological processes for mineral formation are exceedingly slow.

c) Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable.

d) Continued extraction of ores leads to escalating costs and declining quality as extraction reaches greater depths.

12. Ways to conserve minerals:

 a) Implementing planned and sustainable use of mineral resources through concerted efforts.

b) Continuous advancement of technologies to enable the cost-effective utilization of low-grade ores.

c) Promoting metal recycling and the use of scrap metals and alternatives.

13. Energy Resources:

Conventional vs. Non-conventional sources of energy:

a)    Conventional sources include coal, petroleum, and natural gas, while non-conventional sources encompass solar, wind, and tidal energy, among others.

b)    Conventional sources are non-renewable, whereas non-conventional sources are renewable.

c)    Generation of conventional energy is typically more expensive compared to non-conventional sources.

d)    Conventional sources contribute significantly to atmospheric pollution, whereas non-conventional sources are considered less polluting or even pollution-free.

e)    Examples of conventional sources include coal, petroleum, and natural gas, while examples of non-conventional sources include solar energy, wind energy, and tidal power.

In rural India, firewood and cattle dung cake are commonly used for energy needs, with over 70% of rural households relying on these sources. However, the continuous use of firewood is becoming increasingly challenging due to shrinking forest areas. Additionally, the use of dung cake is discouraged as it depletes valuable manure that could otherwise be utilized in agriculture.

14. Traditional Energy Sources

Coal: Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in India, and it exists in various forms:

 a) Peat: Low carbon, high moisture content, and limited heating capacity.

b) Lignite: Soft, low-grade brown coal with high moisture content, primarily used for electricity generation.

c) Bituminous: The most widely used coal type for commercial purposes, especially in iron smelting.

 d) Anthracite: The highest quality hard coal.

Petroleum: Petroleum plays a crucial role in various sectors due to its versatility:

a) It serves as a fuel for heating and lighting.

b) It functions as a lubricant for machinery.

c) It provides raw materials for several manufacturing industries.

d) Petroleum refineries serve as central hubs for synthetic textiles, fertilizers, and various chemical industries.

Occurrence of Petroleum: Most petroleum occurrences in India are associated with anticlines and fault traps in tertiary rock formations. It is often found trapped in the crest of folds in regions of folding, anticlines, or domes. Petroleum can also be found in fault traps between porous and non-porous rocks.

Natural Gas: Natural gas, found in petroleum deposits, is released during crude oil extraction.

15. Electricity Generation

Electricity generation occurs through two primary methods:

a) Hydroelectricity

b) Thermal electricity

Comparison of Thermal and Hydro Electricity:

a)    Source: Thermal electricity is generated using coal, petroleum, and natural gas, while hydro electricity is produced from water.

b)    Renewability: Thermal electricity relies on non-renewable resources, while hydro electricity is renewable.

c)    Pollution: Thermal electricity generation contributes to pollution, whereas hydro electricity generation does not.

d)    Cost: Thermal electricity generation tends to be expensive in the long run compared to hydro electricity.

16. Alternative Energy Sources

Nuclear or Atomic Energy: Utilizing uranium and thorium, nuclear energy is produced by altering atomic structures, releasing significant heat energy used for electricity generation.

Solar Energy: Solar energy presents a viable solution to India's energy needs due to its abundant sunlight throughout the year. It can be easily harnessed in rural areas, reducing dependence on traditional fuels like firewood and dung cakes.

Ways to Enhance Solar Energy Utilization: Efforts to reduce the cost of solar panels, utilize efficient panel models, raise awareness about renewable energy importance, streamline installation processes, and avoid shaded areas.

Wind Power: India has substantial potential for wind power generation, with significant wind farm clusters in regions like Tamil Nadu, Nagarcoil, and Jaisalmer.

Biogas: Produced from shrubs, farm waste, and animal and human waste, biogas offers high thermal efficiency and emits minimal pollution. It is notably efficient in utilizing cattle dung, providing energy and enhancing manure quality.

Tidal Energy: Utilizing floodgate dams, tidal energy generation captures water flow during high tide, which is then used to run turbines and generate electricity.

Geo-Thermal Energy: Geo-thermal energy utilizes heat from the Earth's interior to produce electricity. Experimental projects in India, such as those in the Parvati Valley and Puga Valley, aim to harness this energy source.

17. Conservation of Energy Resources

Strategies for conserving energy resources include:

a) Embracing a prudent approach to the careful utilization of our finite energy reservoirs.

b) Opting for public transportation systems over individual vehicles.

c) Turning off electricity when not in active use.

d) Employing energy-efficient devices to minimize consumption.

e) Harnessing non-conventional sources of energy.