ICSE CLASS 10 GEOGRAPHY // ENERGY RESOURCES

1.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.

2. Explain any three main differences between the conventional and non-conventional energy resources.

answer: Conventional Sources

Conventional sources of energy (e.g. coal, petroleum and natural gas) are non-renewable sources of energy.

They have been in use since a long time. For example, firewood and coal have been in use since a long time.

Most of these energy sources (e.g. coal and firewood) cause pollution when used.

They are common and widely used sources (e.g. thermal power).

Non-conventional Sources

Non-conventional sources of energy (e.g. solar and wind energy) are renewable sources of energy.

These sources have recently developed and are still developing. For example, the technology of producing electricity from solar panels has recently developed.

They do not cause any pollution (e.g. solar energy, geothermal energy etc.)

They are comparatively new sources of energy and hence are not widely used. For example, solar panels and wind mills are not widely used.

3. What are fossil fuels? How are they formed?

answer:Fossil fuels are made from decomposing plants and animals. These fuels are found in the Earth's crust and contain carbon and hydrogen, which can be burned for energy. Coal, oil, and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels.

4. Is it right to say that conventional energy resources are not environment friendly? Why?

answer:

Conventional sources of energy are also known as non-renewable sources of energy.

Examples of conventional energy sources incorporate coal, petroleum, fossil fuels, Oil, etc.

Burning of these energy sources emits harmful and toxic gases in the atmosphere.

These gases result in global warming and make a layer that traps sunlight in the atmosphere making the temperature around the world rise.

The world currently heavily relies on conventional energy and the reserves are slowly starting to dry up.

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5. Explain two uses of the energy generated from fossil fuels.

answer:Fossil fuels are used to:-

1)Generate electricity through thermal power plant.

2)Household cooking

6. Why are non-conventional energy resources considered inexhaustible?

answer:The sources are considered as in exhaustible because of the following reason: 

a) Energy obtained from these sources can be replenished. 

b) The energy of the sun, wind and water can never come to an end and therefore are considered as inexhaustible and renewable.

7. What is hydroelectricity ? 

answer: The electricity generated from hydro power plant is known as hydro electricity. Water is collected in a reservoir at a height, so the water has potential energy stored in it. When the water flows down through this large height, its potential energy gets converted into kinetic energy. 

8. How is coal mined?

answer: Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into peat and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Some iron and steel making and other industrial processes burn coal. The extraction and use of coal cause many premature deaths and many illnesses.

9. What products are produced when petroleum is refined?

answer:Refineries can produce high-value products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel from light crude oil with simple distillation.

10. What is natural gas and how does it occur in nature?

answer:The occurrence of petroleum and natural gas:

• Petrol and natural gas are formed from the remains of plants and animals buried deep inside the earth crust.

• They are also known as fossil fuels.

• Million years ago, the plants and algae live in the shallow sea and after dying they were deep buried under the layers of the earth.

• These are formed in millions of years.

11. Why is bio-energy a cost effective: energy resource?

answer:Advantages of biomass energy:

As a renewable energy source, biomass is always and abundantly available.

It has a carbon footprint of 0

It helps to minimise our reliance on fossil fuel.

Its more affordable than fossil fuels.

There will be less waste in landfills.

12. Name two disadvantages of nuclear power

answer: The major disadvantages of nuclear power plant are as follows:

Disposal and storage of nuclear waste.

Uranium decomposes into harmful sub atomic masses.

Accidental leakage of radiation and large-scale accidents can be catastrophic..

Installation cost is very high as compared to the other power station.

13. Explain the two ways in which solar energy is generated?

answer:Photovoltaic solar technology, which directly converts sunlight into electricity. using panels made of semiconductor cells. Solar thermal technology, which captures the sun's heat.

14. Which areas are best suited to generation of wind energy?

answer:The best places for wind farms are in coastal areas, at the tops of rounded hills, open plains and gaps in mountains - places where the wind is strong and reliable. Some are offshore. To be worthwhile, you need an average wind speed of around 25 km/h. Most wind farms in the UK are in Cornwall or Wales.

 15. How is tidal energy generated?

answer:Tidal energy is produced by the surge of ocean waters during the rise and fall of tides. Tidal energy is a renewable source of energy.