Page 134 - SST Class 08

non-renewable resource. They are finished once
from coal, petroleum and natural gas causes
consumed. The amount of minerals is limited on pollution; while hydroelectricity, solar energy,
the earth, and they will be depleted with use. wind energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy do
However, we can postpone their depletion with
not cause any pollution. Atomic energy can cause
planned use. radiation besides causing problems in the disposal

Some of the ways to conserve mineral resources of its waste.
can be as follows : Conventional sources have been in use for quite

Recycling some time, while non-conventional sources are
recent in origin. In many developing countries,
Many metals such as iron, copper, gold and charcoal, firewood, animal residue like cow dung
aluminium can be reused without affecting their
and crop residue are used as fuels. This energy is
quality. Recycling signifies using the discarded
renewable.
materials once again.
Electricity
Efficient Methods of Production
Electricity is the most important source of energy
Minerals can be conserved by way of using
used for both power and lighting. Three principal
efficient methods of extraction and processing and means of production of electricity are thermal,
by avoiding wastage.
hydel and nuclear. Thermal electricity is produced
Substitutes by burning coal, natural gas and petroleum. Hydel
or hydroelectricity is produced by rotating
Effort has been made in recent times to use
biodegradable plastics and other substitutes in turbines by the force of falling water in waterfalls,
order to conserve mineral resources. These efforts dams etc. Nuclear energy is
generated in nuclear plants.
should be encouraged.
All the above resources are
ENERGY RESOURCES the need of the hour, but we
should be careful in their use
We need energy to work. Similarly we need
energy to make our machines work for us. Energy so that the earth is not robbed Hirakud Dam
of its precious resources.
is an indispensable need of the modern times. It
may be natural, mechanical, electrical or mineral.
DISTRIBUTION OF ENERGY RESOURCES
There are five main sources of energy—coal, oil,
natural gas, water and nuclear power. The first Conventional Sources of Energy
three are used to produce 85 percent of the Nowadays, much of energy is produced by coal,
world’s commercial energy and the remaining 15 mineral oil and natural gas. Fossil fuels are organic
percent energy is produced from water in nature. They are produced from plant and
(hydroelectricity) and nuclear power. animal remains.

Coal, oil and natural gas are of organic origin and Coal
are known as fossil fuels . They are non-renewable
For centuries, coal has been used to provide heat
sources of power.
for domestic purposes. But in the late eighteenth
Classification of Sources of Energy century, it was used to produce steam power and
Sources of energy can be classified as thus became the basis of the Industrial Revolution.
It became the most efficient power for driving
conventional and non-conventional sources.
machines in factories and railway locomotives.
Conventional sources of energy are coal,
petroleum and natural gas and water. Non- Later, it was used to generate electricity.
conventional sources are solar, wind, tidal, Coal can be of different kinds depending on its
geothermal, atomic energy and biogas. Energy carbon content.
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