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NCERT Class 10 Social Science Minerals and Energy Resources: Exercise Solutions
AI-written, checked on 28 Oct 2026
Solutions written by Shishya, checked — not the board's official answers
Point-by-point answers for every question of End-of-chapter exercises in NCERT's Class 10 Social Science book, chapter “Minerals and Energy Resources”, written by Shishya. Each question is in our own short words; open the NCERT chapter for the exact wording and figures.
How these were checked: the answers were drafted with AI from the NCERT chapter's own text and then read and corrected on 28 Oct 2026. Before an answer was kept, a check confirmed that every name, place, year and number in it appears in the NCERT chapter and that no sentence was copied from the book; multiple-choice, match and fill-in answers are pinned to a reviewed key. Long answers are a model answer, not the only right one. The NCERT textbook is the authority — if something here disagrees with it, follow the book.
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Exercises Q1(i)
MCQ: which mineral forms when rocks decompose and leave a residual mass of weathered material? (a) coal (b) bauxite (c) gold (d) zinc
- Minerals can form through the decomposition of surface rocks.
- This process removes soluble parts and leaves a residual mass of weathered material.
- Bauxite is the specific mineral formed by this method.
Answer: (b) bauxite
Exercises Q1(ii)
MCQ: Koderma in Jharkhand is the leading producer of (a) bauxite (b) mica (c) iron ore (d) copper
- Mica is a non-metallic mineral that splits into thin sheets and has excellent insulating properties.
- The Koderma belt in Jharkhand is identified in the text as the leading producer of mica.
- Other options like bauxite, iron ore, and copper are associated with different regions or states in the chapter.
Answer: (b) mica
Exercises Q1(iii)
MCQ: minerals are deposited and accumulated in the strata of which rocks? (a) sedimentary (b) metamorphic (c) igneous (d) none of these
- The text explains that in sedimentary rocks, minerals occur in beds or layers.
- These minerals are formed through deposition, accumulation, and concentration in horizontal strata.
- Examples like coal and some iron ores are concentrated in these sedimentary layers over long periods.
Answer: (a) sedimentary
Exercises Q1(iv)
MCQ: which mineral is found in monazite sand? (a) oil (b) uranium (c) thorium (d) coal
- Monazite is a mineral that contains thorium.
- It is typically found in beach sands or placer deposits.
- Thorium is a radioactive element used in atomic energy.
Answer: (c) thorium
Exercises Q2(i)
In not more than 30 words each, distinguish between (a) ferrous and non-ferrous minerals (b) conventional and non-conventional sources of energy.
- Ferrous minerals contain iron, while non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron.
- Conventional sources include firewood, coal, and electricity, which are widely used.
- Non-conventional sources include solar, wind, and geothermal energy, which are newer alternatives.
Answer: Ferrous minerals have iron; non-ferrous do not. Conventional sources are traditional fuels; non-conventional are renewable alternatives.
Exercises Q2(ii)
In about 30 words: what is a mineral?
- Geologists describe a mineral as a homogeneous substance that occurs naturally.
- It has a definable internal structure.
- Minerals are found in many forms in nature, from the hardest, diamond, to the softest, talc.
Answer: A mineral is a naturally occurring, homogeneous substance with a definable internal structure.
Exercises Q2(iii)
In about 30 words: how are minerals formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
- Minerals in these rocks are found in cracks, crevices, faults, or joints.
- Smaller occurrences are called veins while larger ones are lodes.
- They form when liquid or gaseous minerals are forced upward through cavities.
- As they rise towards the surface, they cool down and solidify.
Answer: Minerals form in igneous and metamorphic rocks by cooling and solidifying in cracks, crevices, faults, or joints as veins or lodes.
Exercises Q2(iv)
In about 30 words: why do we need to conserve mineral resources?
- Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable because their replenishment is extremely slow.
- We are rapidly consuming these resources, which are valuable but short-lived possessions.
- Conservation ensures planned and sustainable use for future industrial and agricultural needs.
Answer: We must conserve mineral resources because they are finite, non-renewable, and being consumed faster than they can be replenished.
Exercises Q3(i)
In about 120 words: describe the distribution of coal in India.
- Coal in India is primarily found in rock series from two main geological ages: Gondwana and Tertiary.
- Gondwana coal deposits, which include high-grade metallurgical coal, are concentrated in the Damodar valley region.
- Key coalfields within this Gondwana belt include Jharia, Raniganj, and Bokaro located in West Bengal and Jharkhand.
- Additional coal deposits are also present in the Godavari, Mahanadi, Son, and Wardha river valleys.
- Tertiary age coal deposits are found in the northeastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.
- Because coal is bulky and loses weight as it burns, heavy industries and power stations are built near these coalfields.
Answer: Coal is distributed across India in Gondwana and Tertiary rock series, with major deposits in the Damodar valley and northeastern states.
Exercises Q3(ii)
In about 120 words: why does solar energy have a bright future in India?
- India is a tropical country with an abundance of sunlight, giving it enormous possibilities for tapping solar energy.
- Photovoltaic technology allows sunlight to be converted directly into electricity, making it a viable power source.
- Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular in rural and remote areas where other energy sources may be scarce.
- Big solar power plants are being established across India to reduce the reliance of rural households on firewood and dung cakes.
- This shift helps in environmental conservation by reducing pollution and ensures an adequate supply of manure for agriculture.
- The growing need for renewable energy sources arises from the uncertainties and environmental problems associated with fossil fuels.
Answer: Solar energy has a bright future in India due to its abundant sunlight, direct conversion to electricity, popularity in rural areas, and its role in environmental conservation and agricultural benefits.
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