Class 8 NCERT Solutions Geography Chapter 3 - Mineral and Power Resources

(i) The three common minerals used every day are - iron, copper and lead.

(ii) An ore is the rock from which minerals are mined. The ores of metallic minerals are generally located in igneous and metamorphic rock formations that often form large plateaus.

(iii) Russia and the United Kingdom are the two regions rich in terms of natural gas resources.

(iv) (a) Rural areas - Biogas

      (b) Coastal areas - Tidal and hydel energy

      (c) Arid regions - Solar and wind energy

(v) The five ways in which energy can be saved at home are as follows:

     (a) Switching off electrical appliances and equipment when not in use.

     (b) Regular overhauling of electrical appliances.

     (c) Use of energy efficient technologies and equipment.

     (d) Using energy sparingly while performing household tasks. For example, one can put a lid on kitchen utensils while cooking.

     (e) Preventing any possibility of leakages in the energy supply to the household.

(i) Dams generate hydroelectric power which goes a long way in satisfying the energy needs of a region.  However, damns also tend to have many negative effects on the surroundings. The flooding of the surrounding areas tends to destroy the local ecosystem. The natural course of rivers might be changed by the construction and it also leads to widespread displacement of locals. As a result, before the construction of any dams, the environmental repercussions must be taken into detailed consideration.

(ii) Coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in the world. It is used as raw material for several important industries. Most of such industries are concentrated around coal mines as the physical proximity helps in cutting down both the time and the cost of transportation.

(iii) Petroleum in its crude form is black in colour and it has come to be seen to be as valuable to humans as the metal gold. Therefore, petroleum is often referred to as ‘black gold’.

(iv) Quarrying involves the clearing of surface vegetation. This badly affects the top soil which contains the ‘humus’ that is necessary for growth of plants. It also involves the use of explosives and earth-moving machinery. This leads to massive noise pollution and can also damage nearby constructions like civilian buildings, dams, etc. The quarrying process also generates a lot of dust and the fossil fuels used in the process greatly pollute the air. Therefore, quarrying as an industrial process can become a major environmental concern.

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