RBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 3 Mineral and Power Resources

These comprehensive RBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 3 Mineral and Power Resources will give a brief overview of all the concepts.

RBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 3 Mineral and Power Resources

→ A naturally occurring substance that has a definite chemical composition is called a mineral. Minerals are created by natural processes without any human interference.

→ Types of Minerals: Minerals are mainly of two types-metallic minerals and non- metallic minerals. Metallic minerals contain metal in raw form, it is divided into two types - ferrous and non-ferrous minerals. Non-metallic minerals do not contain metals. The process of taking out minerals from rocks buried under the earth’s surface is called mining. Minerals can be extracted through open-cast mining, shafts, shaft mining, drilling, quarrying, etc.

→ Distribution of Minerals: Generally metallic minerals are found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, whereas non-metallic minerals are found in sedimentary rocks. Different minerals are found at different places. In world different types of metallic and non-metallic minerals, are found in Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, Australia, South America, Antarctica, etc.

→ Uses of Minerals: Minerals are used to manufacture different types of goods in different industries.

→ Conservation of Minerals: It takes thousands of years for the formation and concentration of minerals, therefore, their conservation is important. Recycling of metals is one way in which file mineral resources can be conserved.

→ Power Resources: Power resources can be broadly categorised into two parts:

• Conventional sources: Conventional sources of energy are those which have been in common use for a long time. In this, firewood, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydel power, etc. are the major ones.
• Non-conventional sources: Due to shortage of conventional sources, the importance of non-conventional sources are increasing. In this, solar energy, wind energy, nuclear power, geothermal energy, tidal energy, biogas, are the major ones.