Which types of resources of energy are coal, petroleum and natural gas?
- conventional sources
- non-renewable sources
- non-conventional sources
- Both (1) and (2).
Answer
Both (1) and (2) i.e., conventional sources & non-renewable sources
Reason — Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are conventional sources of energy that have been used for a long time. They are also non-renewable resources because they take millions of years to form and cannot be replenished quickly.
............... coal has ............... per cent of carbon content and is the most preferred variety of coal.
- Lignite, 40
- Peat, 50
- Anthracite, 90
- Bituminous, 80
Answer
Anthracite, 90
Reason — Anthracite is the highest ranking variety of coal and has a carbon content of 90 per cent. It burns slowly without smoke, leaves very little ash and has a high heating value, which is why it is globally preferred.
Bituminous coal is also known as ............... .
- coking coal
- Peat
- Steam oven
- Gas stove
Answer
coking coal
Reason — Bituminous coal is used to produce coke, coal gas and steam coal and is therefore called coking coal.
Assertion (A): Natural gas is an eco-friendly fuel.
Reason (R): It is lighter than air and tends to dissipate in case of leakage.
- Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
- A is true but R is false.
- A is false but R is true.
Answer
Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
Explanation — The fact that natural gas is lighter than air does not explain why it is eco-friendly. The eco-friendliness of natural gas comes from its low carbon emissions, not its ability to disperse. Hence, Reason (R) does not explain Assertion (A).
Anthracite is ideal for domestic use as it is ................
- smokeless
- high calorific value
- high carbon content
- All of them.
Answer
All of them.
Reason — Anthracite is ideal for domestic use as it is a smokeless fuel with a high calorific value and a high carbon content of 90 per cent. Hence, all the given options are correct.
Name the brown low grade coal.
- Peat
- Lignite
- Anthracite
- Bituminous
Answer
Lignite
Reason — Lignite is also known as brown coal and is a lower grade coal. It comprises 40 per cent carbon along with a good deal of moisture and less of combustible matter.
............... is the oldest coalfield in India.
- Raniganj
- Jharia
- Korba
- Singrauli
Answer
Raniganj
Reason — The oldest coalfield in India is in Raniganj in West Bengal, while the largest coalfield is in Jharia in Jharkhand.
Gondwana coal has variable quantities of ............... .
- Low moisture
- Small sulphur
- Small variable quantity of phosphorus
- All of them.
Answer
All of them.
Reason — Gondwana coal is almost free from moisture and contains sulphur and phosphorus in small variable quantities. Hence, all the given options are correct.
Assertion (A): Hydel power is the cheapest form of renewable energy.
Reason (R): Once the project is operational it does not produce waste or green house gases.
- Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
- A is true but R is false.
- A is false but R is true.
Answer
Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
Explanation — Hydel power is one of the cheapest renewable energy sources because of its low operating cost after the initial investment. Although it produces no waste or greenhouse gases during operation, this does not explain why it is the cheapest.
The Neyveli Lignite coal field in ............... is the largest lignite deposit field in South India.
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Puducherry
- Tamil Nadu
Answer
Tamil Nadu
Reason — The Neyveli lignite field is located in Tamil Nadu and is the largest lignite deposit field in South India.
The liquid petroleum is called ............... .
- Crude oil
- Liquid oil
- Natural gas
- Natural oil
Answer
Crude oil
Reason — The liquid form of petroleum is called crude oil, the petroleum gas is called natural gas and the semi-solid to solid forms are known as asphalt, tar, pitch and bitumen.
Light distillates : gasoline :: middle distillates : ...............
- diesel
- Lubricating oils
- naphtha
- LPG
Answer
diesel
Reason — When crude oil is refined, light distillates like gasoline, LPG and naphtha are produced, while middle distillates such as diesel and kerosene are obtained. Hence, diesel corresponds to middle distillates.
Petroleum is used
- as a fuel
- as raw material
- for power generation
- All of the above
Answer
All of the above
Reason — Petroleum is used as a fuel, as a raw material for the production of various petrochemical products and for power generation. Hence, all the given options are correct.
Name the main component of LPG.
- Methane
- Butane
- Propane
- Ethane
Answer
Butane
Reason — The main component of LPG is butane, while propane and ethane are its other constituents.
Countries are phasing out fossil-fuel based energy sources because
- they contribute to increase in green house gases.
- they are non-renewable
- they are expensive
- All of the above.
Answer
All of the above.
Reason — Fossil fuels are being phased out because they emit greenhouse gases, are non-renewable, and are becoming costlier due to their limited reserves. Hence, all the given options are correct.
You see this sticker (given on the right) on the front windshield of a car. What does it mean?
- The car is a commercial vehicle.
- The car uses Compressed Natural Gas as fuel.
- The car is not fuel efficient.
- The car uses Cooled Nitrogen Gas as fuel.
Answer
The car uses Compressed Natural Gas as fuel.
Reason — The gas used for running vehicles is known as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). It is used as an alternative to petrol and diesel for the transport of vehicles, so the sticker indicates that the car runs on CNG.
What is meant by conventional sources of energy? Name any two conventional sources of energy.
Answer
Conventional sources of energy are those which have been used by man for a long time and are still being tapped and used abundantly.
These include coal, petroleum, natural gas and hydel power.
Name two main coal bearing areas in India.
Answer
Two main coal bearing areas in India are Raniganj in West Bengal and Jharia in Jharkhand.
Give geographical reasons for the following:
(i) Anthracite is used for domestic purposes.
(ii) Oil refineries are located close to oilfields or near ports.
(iii) The location of coalfields is an important factor in industrial development.
Answer
(i) Anthracite is used for domestic purposes as it is a smokeless fuel with high calorific value.
(ii) Oil refineries are located close to oilfields or near ports to minimise the cost of transport and to avoid the risk of transporting the oil inside the country due to its inflammable nature.
(iii) Location of coal fields is an important factor in industrial development because it is the basic source of power and it is heavy and bulky also, hence difficult to transport.
(i) Name the varieties of coal found in India.
(ii) Give a characteristic of each type of coal.
Answer
(i) The varieties of coal found in India are anthracite, bituminous, lignite and peat.
(ii) Characteristic of each type of coal are:
- Anthracite coal — It is shiny and lustrous, almost jet black.
- Bituminous coal — It is hard, black and compact and makes up almost 80% of the world's total coal output.
- Lignite coal — It comprises 40% of carbon and a good deal of moisture and less of combustible matter.
- Peat coal — It has the least carbon content and is inferior to the other three varieties of coal.
How is Gondwana coalfield different from tertiary coalfield in terms of location and quality?
Answer
| Gondwana Coalfields | Tertiary Coalfields |
|---|---|
| Gondwana coalfields are largely confined to river valleys like those of Damodar, Mahanadi and Godavari. These coalfields are located in the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. | Tertiary coalfields are found in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Kashmir and in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and inland basin of Rajasthan. |
| This coal is free from moisture and contains sulphur and phosphorus in small variable quantities. | This coal has a higher moisture content and more sulphur, with less calorific value. |
Name the coalfield that is oldest and one that is largest in India.
Answer
The oldest coalfield in India is in Raniganj in West Bengal and the largest coalfield is in Jharia in Jharkhand.
Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Petroleum is called 'liquid gold'.
(ii) Natural gas is a fossil fuel.
(iii) CNG is an eco-friendly fuel.
Answer
(i) Petroleum is called 'liquid gold' because there is not even a tiniest part of crude petroleum which goes to waste or remains unused.
(ii) Natural gas is a fossil fuel because it has been formed by decomposing remains of dead animals and plants buried under the earth.
(iii) CNG is an eco-friendly fuel because it causes less damage to the environment as it is made up of methane and results in less carbon emissions.
(i) State two advantages of coal as a source of power.
(ii) Where is the oldest oilfield located in India?
Answer
(i) Two advantages of coal as a source of power are-
- Energy produced from coal fired plants is cheaper and more affordable than other energy sources.
- Coal is easy to burn and produces high energy upon combustion.
(ii) The oldest oilfield in India is Digboi oilfield situated in Tinsukhia district of Assam.
What is Natural Gas? Name two variants of natural gas.
Answer
Natural gas is a fossil fuel which occurs in association with mineral oil. It is mainly composed of methane with small amounts of propane and ethane.
Two variants of natural gas are-
- Compressed Natural Gas
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Where is natural gas found in India? Name two coastal and two inland oil-refineries in India.
Answer
Over three-fourths of India's natural gas comes from Mumbai High. The rest is produced in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Tripura.
Two coastal oil-refineries in India are-
- Haldia refinery – Indian Oil Corporation Limited in Haldia, West Bengal
- Visakhapatnam Refinery – Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Two inland oil-refineries in India are-
- Bina Refinery – Bharat Oman Refineries Limited in Bina, Madhya Pradesh.
- Panipat Refinery – Indian Oil Corporation Limited in Panipat, Haryana.
(i) Why do the natural gas deposits mostly accompany oil deposits?
(ii) What is added to domestic gas cylinders, which gives a foul smell? Why?
Answer
(i) Natural gas deposits mostly accompany oil deposits because it has been formed by decomposing remains of dead animals and plants buried under the earth.
(ii) Ethyl mercaptan, a foul smelling gas is added to domestic gas cylinders, so that any leakage of LPG from the cylinder can be detected instantaneously.
Give two advantages and one disadvantage of natural gas.
Answer
Two advantages of natural gas are-
- It is a cleaner, cheaper fuel than diesel or gasoline.
- Natural gas is an eco-friendly fuel.
One disadvantage of natural gas is that leaks of natural gas are difficult to detect and are very dangerous.
Name one important area that has large coal deposits in:
(i) Jharkhand and;
(ii) West Bengal
Answer
(i) Jharia has large coal deposits in Jharkhand.
(ii) Raniganj has large coal deposits in West Bengal.
State any one disadvantage of coal found in India.
Answer
One disadvantage of coal found in India is that its calorific value is low.
(i) Name two states that have deposits of the Gondwana coal.
(ii) Name two industries that use large quantity of coal.
Answer
(i) Jharkhand and Odisha have deposits of the Gondwana coal.
(ii) Two industries that use large quantity of coal are-
- Iron and Steel industries
- Thermal energy power plants
(i) Which state is the largest producer of mineral oil?
(ii) Mention any two advantages of hydel power.
Answer
(i) Assam is the largest producer of mineral oil.
(ii) Two advantages of hydel power are-
- Hydel power is clean, non-polluting source of energy.
- It does not produce any Greenhouse gases and prevents global warming.
Why does India have to import oil?
Answer
India has to import oil to meet the ever increasing industrial and domestic demands.
Name one refinery which belongs to the private sector and one in the public sector.
Answer
Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat belongs to the private sector and Guwahati Refinery in Assam is a public sector refinery.
Name the two coastal oil-refineries, one on the west coast of India and the other on the east coast of India. Name one inland oil refinery. List the sources of crude oil for these refineries.
Answer
Below are the oil-refineries along with their location and source of crude oil:
- Oil refinery — Trombay refinery in Maharashtra
Location — West coast of India
Source of crude oil — Ankleshwar fields - Oil refinery — Visakhapatnam Refinery in Andhra Pradesh
Location — East coast of India
Source of crude oil — Tatipaka field - Oil refinery — Mathura refinery in Uttar Pradesh
Location — Inland oil refinery
Source of crude oil — Mumbai High
Where are the deposits of Petroleum normally located? Give two uses of Petroleum besides being used as a fuel.
Answer
Petroleum is normally found in underground reservoirs in sedimentary rock formations like sandstone, shale and limestone. The entire production of India comes from the Assam-Arakan belt, the Gujarat-Cambay belt and the Mumbai High offshore zone.
Two uses of Petroleum besides being used as a fuel are-
- Petroleum after refining is used as raw material for the production of various petrochemical products like synthetic rubber, synthetic fibre, polysterene, PVC, phenol, gasoline etc.
- It is used in the manufacture of lubricants, paraffin wax and petroleum jelly.
Name four products that are obtained during the refining process of petroleum.
Answer
Four products that are obtained during the refining process of petroleum are-
- Petrol
- Diesel
- Kerosene
- Tar
State any two advantages of using petroleum as a source of power.
Answer
Two advantages of using petroleum as a source of power are-
- It is a stable energy source.
- It is a high density fuel.
State any three disadvantages of using petroleum.
Answer
Three disadvantages of using petroleum are-
- Petroleum is a natural fossil fuel and non-renewable.
- Extracting and burning petroleum generates greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and environmental pollution.
- It is expensive because of its limited supply and high demand.
Heavy monsoon rains across India may be creating havoc on the roads, but the brimming reservoirs are expected to deliver higher hydropower output for a second consecutive year. India's electricity generation from hydropower plants is expected to increase by around 10% in fiscal year 2026 (FY26), according to ratings agency Icra Ltd. Hydropower generation had similarly increased by about 10% in FY25 after shrinking 17% in the year before due to inadequate monsoon rains, according to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
In FY25, hydropower plants across the country generated about 140 billion units of power, or about 7% of the overall 1,829 billion units of electricity produced.
— Hindustan Times, 21 August, 2025
State any three advantages of hydel power.
Answer
Three advantages of hydel power are-
- Hydel power is a clean, non-polluting source of energy. The water used does not contaminate air or water by producing harmful wastes or poisonous bi-products.
- It does not produce any Greenhouse Gases and prevents us from the harmful effects of Global Warming.
- It is a renewable source of energy which can be used again and again.
Where is Mumbai High? What is Sagar Samrat?
Answer
In Maharashtra, about 176 km off Mumbai in the Arabian Sea, there is a huge oil deposit known as Mumbai High.
The syncline of the rock structure in which oil has been struck is higher than the normal height and oil is taken from the depth of over 1,400 m with the help of a specially designed platform known as 'Sagar Samrat'. It is a self propelled jack-up type of drilling platform.
Why is coal often used near the source of its mining whereas mineral oil is transported to great distances?
Answer
Coal is bulky and heavy, making its transportation difficult and expensive. Therefore, industries using large quantities of coal are often located near coal mines.
Mineral oil, on the other hand, can be easily and economically transported over long distances through pipelines and tankers, allowing it to be used far from its source of extraction.
Name the region in which India's main coalfields are located. What is the quality of coal found here? What are its uses?
Answer
India's main coalfields are located in the Gondwana region, mainly in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. These coalfields contain about 98% of India's coal reserves.
The coal found here is mainly bituminous coal, which is of good quality and suitable for industrial use.
Gondwana coal is used to produce coke, coal gas and steam coal.
State three advantages of dams.
Answer
Three advantages of dams are-
- Dams built to produce hydroelectricity help to save and restore water.
- Dams provide water for irrigation.
- Dams prevent flooding.
Name the power generated in the picture. Briefly explain the process involved in power generation in this case.
Answer
The power generated in the given picture is Hydel power or Hydroelectricity.
Hydroelectricity is produced from the energy that is released when water falls from a high level with great force. The water flowing in a river is collected by constructing a big dam where the water is stored. Then it is allowed to fall from a height. The blades of the turbine located at the bottom of the dam move with the force of falling water, which in turn rotates the generator and produces electricity.
With reference to the Bhakra Nangal Project, answer the following:
(i) Name the river on which it has been constructed.
(ii) Name two states that benefit from this project.
Answer
(i) Bhakra Nangal dam has been constructed on the river Sutlej.
(ii) Punjab and Himachal Pradesh benefit from this project.
(i) On which river is Hirakud Dam located?
(ii) Give any two uses of this dam.
Answer
(i) Hirakud dam is built across Mahanadi river.
(ii) Two uses of this dam are-
- It regulates the flow of the Mahanadi river and produces hydroelectricity through several hydroelectric plants.
- The dam helps control floods in the Mahanadi delta and irrigates 75,000 sq km of land.
State three disadvantages of constructing a big dam.
Answer
Three disadvantages of building a big dam are-
- The cost of building dams for producing hydroelectricity is quite high.
- Building a large dam alters the natural water table level.
- It can cause serious geological damage like triggering earthquakes in the area.
Suppose you are involved in the printing industry. Which conventional source of energy you would be using and for what? How is this resource affecting the lives of people in India?
Answer
In the printing industry, the conventional source of energy typically used is electricity. It powers the printing press, printers, cutting machines, and other equipment necessary for the printing process.
Electricity affects the lives of people in India in the following ways:
- Employment — It sustains jobs and livelihoods for workers involved in printing-related tasks, contributing to employment opportunities in India.
- Economic growth — When printing companies operate efficiently, it supports other sectors such as publishing, packaging, advertising, and education. This fosters economic growth and contributes to the overall development of India.
- Access to printed materials — Electricity-powered printing ensures access to printed materials that are crucial for education, information dissemination, entertainment and cultural preservation.
- Communication — Reliable electricity supply enables the production of newspapers and magazines, serving as important sources of news and information for people across India.
- Advertising and marketing — Electricity powers the production of marketing materials such as banners, brochures, and flyers, which is essential for advertising and marketing activities.
- Environmental impact — The impact of electricity generation on the environment depends on the energy mix. Transitioning to cleaner and renewable sources of electricity can help mitigate environmental consequences, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the printing industry.
Name one fuel which has been developed as an alternative to petrol and diesel for use in vehicles. Name the fossil fuel from which it is derived and is preferred than the conventional source of energy from which it is derived?
Answer
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has been developed as an alternative to petrol and diesel for use in vehicles.
It is derived from Natural gas. It is preferred over other conventional sources of energy such as petrol and diesel because of the following reasons:
- Natural gas is an eco-friendly fuel as it causes less damage to the environment.
- It is easier to preserve than other fuels. It can be stored and transported through pipelines, small storage units, cylinders or tankers on land and sea.
- It can be piped into houses for heating and cooking purposes and running a variety of appliances.
- It is a cleaner, cheaper fuel than diesel or gasoline.
- It is lighter than air and tends to dissipate when there is a leakage unlike propane, which being heavier than air, collects into explosive pockets.
Imagine that you live in an area where a dam is being constructed. What advantages and disadvantages do you foresee once this hydro-project is completed?
Answer
I foresee the following advantages once this hydro-project is completed:
- Generates renewable and clean hydroelectric power with little air pollution.
- Provides a reliable supply of electricity for homes and industries.
- Stores water for irrigation, drinking, and flood control.
- Promotes regional development by creating employment and improving infrastructure.
I foresee the following disadvantages once this hydro-project is completed:
- Causes displacement of people and loss of livelihoods.
- Leads to the submergence of forests and fertile agricultural land.
- Disturbs river ecosystems and affects aquatic life. Reservoirs may lose storage capacity due to sedimentation.
- Large reservoirs may induce reservoir-triggered seismic activity (earthquakes) in some areas.
Study the graphs given below showing primary source of energy for lighting in both rural and urban areas. What do you infer?
Answer
From the given graph, I infer the following points:
- In rural areas, electricity consumption increased from 15% (1983) to almost 100% (2023), while kerosene use dropped from near 85% (1983) to near zero in 2023.
- In urban areas, electricity use rose from 65% (1983) to 100% (2023), and kerosene fell from 35% (1983) to zero in 2023.
- This suggests better energy access, affordability, and a move towards cleaner energy sources by complete transition from kerosene to electricity as the primary source of lighting by 2023 in both rural and urban areas.