Why are coal and petroleum categorised as natural resources? Give a reason as to why they should be used judiciously.
Why are coal and petroleum categorised as natural resources? Give a reason as to why they should be used judiciously.
Coal and petroleum are categorised as natural resources because they are formed naturally from the remains of dead plants and animals (biomass) buried deep under the earth under high pressure and temperature over millions of years, without any human intervention.
They should be used judiciously because:
- Exhaustibility: They are non-renewable resources. Their reserves are limited, and since they take millions of years to form, they will get exhausted rapidly if consumed at the current high rate.
- Environmental Pollution: Burning coal and petroleum releases harmful gases like carbon dioxide (), sulfur dioxide (), and nitrogen oxides (). These gases cause air pollution, acid rain, and enhance the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming.
Marking Scheme
- 1Explanation of why they are natural resources: 1.0 mark
- 2Reason for using them judiciously (exhaustibility and/or pollution): 1.0 mark
Hint
Recall how fossil fuels are formed in nature and what happens when we burn them.
Quick Oral Answer
Coal and petroleum are natural resources because they are formed naturally from ancient biomass over millions of years. We must use them judiciously because they are non-renewable and their burning causes severe air pollution and global warming.
Analysis & Explanation
Natural resources are materials or substances occurring in nature which can be exploited for economic gain. Coal and petroleum are fossil fuels. Because their rate of formation is incredibly slow compared to our current rate of consumption, they are classified as non-renewable. Furthermore, their combustion has severe environmental impacts. The carbon dioxide released acts as a greenhouse gas, trapping heat in the atmosphere and driving global climate change, while sulfur and nitrogen oxides form acids in the atmosphere, leading to acid rain which damages soil, aquatic life, and buildings.
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing natural resources with synthetic ones.
- 2Failing to mention both the exhaustibility aspect and the environmental pollution aspect when explaining why they must be used judiciously.
Interesting Facts
Coal and petroleum are often referred to as 'buried sunshine' because the energy stored in them originally came from the Sun via photosynthesis by ancient plants millions of years ago.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2017?
This question carries 2 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2017 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 "Managing the Garbage we Produce" from CBSE Class 10 Science.
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2017 paper?
This is a Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2017 paper.