Question

(a) Explain the main characteristics of minerals.

Accepted Answer

(i) Minerals are found in varied forms in nature, ranging from the hardest diamond to the softest talc. (ii) Minerals are usually found in “ores” mixed with other impurities and elements. (iii) Minerals may occur as metals- iron ore, copper, silver etc, and non-metals- mica, coal, salt, potassium, and limestone. (iv) Metallic minerals can also be ferrous- iron ore, manganese, nickel, and cobalt and non-ferrous- copper, tin, lead, bauxite. (v) Minerals can also be precious metallic minerals like gold and silver. (vi) Some minerals are energy resources- coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

Conventional Sources of Energy	Non-Conventional Sources of Energy.
(i) Conventional sources include: firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity (both hydel and thermal).	(i) Non-conventional sources include solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas and atomic energy.
(ii) These are finite sources as they are limited in quantity.	(ii) These sources are non-exhaustible.
(iii) These sources cause environmental pollution except water.	(iii) These sources of energy are eco-friendly.
(iv) These are expensive sources of energy.	(iv) These sources of energy are one-time investment.
(v) Except water, they all leave residue behind.	(v) No residue is left.

Marking-scheme solution

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