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.
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