Q17
3 marksShort AnswerSection SECTION-A

Amit lives in Delhi and is much concerned about the increasing electricity bill of his house. He took some steps to save electricity and succeeded in doing so.

(i) Mention any two steps that Amit might have taken to save electricity.

(ii) Amit fulfilled his duty towards the environment by saving electricity. How?

(iii) Which alternative source of energy would you suggest Amit to use?

Our Environment
Environmental Conservation and Energy Saving
Official Answer

(i) Two steps Amit might have taken to save electricity:

  1. Switching off unnecessary lights, fans, and other electrical appliances when not in use.
  2. Utilizing natural sunlight during the day instead of artificial lighting, or replacing conventional bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs.

(ii) Amit fulfilled his duty towards the environment because a major portion of our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels (like coal) in thermal power plants. Burning fossil fuels releases harmful greenhouse gases (like CO2CO_2) and pollutants that cause global warming and air pollution. By saving electricity, Amit directly reduced the consumption of fossil fuels, thereby minimizing environmental pollution and conserving natural resources.


(iii) Amit should use solar energy (by installing solar photovoltaic panels or solar water heaters) as an alternative source of energy.

switching offLED bulbsfossil fuelsthermal power plantsgreenhouse gasessolar energy

Marking Scheme

  • 1Mentioning any two valid steps to save electricity: 1 Mark
  • 2Explaining how saving electricity reduces fossil fuel burning and protects the environment: 1 Mark
  • 3Suggesting a suitable alternative source of energy (e.g., solar energy): 1 Mark

Hint

Think about daily habits to prevent electricity wastage, how electricity generation is linked to fossil fuels, and a clean renewable source of energy suitable for homes.

Quick Oral Answer

Amit saved electricity by switching off idle appliances and using energy-efficient lights. This helps the environment because most electricity comes from burning coal, which causes pollution. He can use solar energy as an alternative.

Analysis & Explanation

This question connects daily energy-saving habits to broader environmental impacts. (i) Simple behavioral changes like switching off idle appliances (as highlighted in the NCERT exercise under environment-friendly practices) and using energy-efficient devices significantly reduce household electricity consumption. (ii) Since electricity generation is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, saving electricity reduces the carbon footprint and mitigates air pollution. (iii) Solar energy is an abundant, clean, and renewable alternative that can be easily harnessed in residential areas like Delhi.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Suggesting alternative sources that are not feasible for a household in Delhi, such as wind or tidal energy.
  2. 2Failing to connect electricity saving with the reduction of fossil fuel combustion and environmental pollution.

Interesting Facts

India has set a massive target for solar energy installation, and residential rooftop solar systems are highly subsidized to encourage citizens to transition to clean energy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2014?

This question carries 3 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2014 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "Our Environment" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Environmental Conservation and Energy Saving" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2014 paper?

This is a Short Answer question from Section SECTION-A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2014 paper.