What

A
i)
ii)
iii)

are
good

the
fuel
large

less

properties
of
the
one
amount
amount
of
easily

is

a
which

good
can
of
smoke

fuel?
produce
heat
and
available

2.
List
the
properties
of
a
good
source
of
energy
A
good
source
of
energy
is
the
one
which
i.
would
do
a
large
amount
of
work
per
unit
volume
or
mass
ii.
can
be
easily
accessible
iii.
can
be
easily
stored
and
transported
and
iv.
is
economical
3. If you could use any source of energy for heating your food, which one would you use
and
why?
Good
fuel.
For
reasons
refer
Qn.
No.1
4. What are fossil Fuels? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a fossil fuel?
The non renewable sources of energy which was formed over millions of years ago
underground in the form of coal and petroleum are called fossil fuels.
Advantages
Fast growing global demand for energy for industrialization was met by fossil fuels. It
can
be
used
for
the
generation
of
electricity.
Disadvantages
Burning fuels cause air pollution due to the oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur that
are released on burning fossil fuels. As these are acidic oxides, they lead to acid rain
which
affects
our
water
and
soil
resources.
5. How has the traditional use of wind and water energy been modified for our
convenience?
Wind energy which was used initially for lifting water are now used for generating
electricity.
Water energy which was used for transportation before is now a good source to
generate
electricity.
6.
Why
Because

are

we
fossil

looking

for
fuels

alternate

source
are

of

energy?
exhaustible.

7. What measures are to be taken to reduce air pollution caused due to fossil fuel?
Pollution can be reduced by increasing the efficiency of the combustion process and
using
clean
fuel
thereby
reducing
the
escape
of
harmful
gases.
8.
Brief
the
basic
construction
of
an
electric
generator.
The simplest device used for generating electricity has one moving part, a rotor-blade
assembly. The moving water or wind or steam acts on the blades to spin it which impart
energy to the rotor. This turns the shaft of the dynamo and converts mechanical energy

into

the

electrical

energy.

9.
How
is
electricity
generated
in
thermal
Power
plants?
Fossils fuels are burnt in large amount to heat up water and to produce steam. The
steam
turns
the
turbine
to
generate
electricity.
Many thermal power plants are set up near coal or oil fields because transmitting
electricity is more efficient than transporting coal and petroleum over the same
distance.
10.
Write
a
note
on
the
functioning
of
hydro
power
plants
The kinetic energy of flowing water or the potential energy of water at a height is used
to rotate the turbine and generate electricity. This energy thus generated is hydel
energy.
rise dams are constructed on the river to collect water in large reservoirs. The water
from High level in the dam is carried through pipes to turbine at the bottom of the dam.
The potential energy of the High level water is converted into kinetic energy and used
to
rotate
the
turbine
to
produce
electricity.
11.
What
are
the
advantages
of
hydel
energy?
It is a renewable source of energy. Huge amount of energy can be harnessed through
hydel
power
plants.
12. What are the limitations in using hydel energy in spite of its huge generation of
electricity?
The
limitations
are
a)
Difficulty
in
building
big
dams
b)
Non
availability
of
places,
hilly
terrains
to
construct
dams
c)
Large
area
of
land
is
sacrificed
d)
Large
eco-systems
are
destroyed
e) The rotten vegetation under water produces methane a green- house gas
f)
Danger
to
the
people
living
nearby
g)
Difficulty
in
the
rehabilitation
of
the
affected.
13.
What
is
meant
by
bio-mass?
The source of fuels obtained from plant and animal products like wood and cow dung is
called
bio

mass.
14.
What
are
the
disadvantages
of
using
bio-mass
as
i.
They
do
not
produce
much
heat
on
ii. Lot of smoke is given out when burned which causes air

fuel?
burning
pollution.

15. How can you obtain charcoal from wood? In what way is it better than wood as a
fuel?
When wood is burnt in limited supply of oxygen, water and volatile materials in it get
removed, the residue left behind is called charcoal. It is smokeless and has higher heat
generation
efficiency
(calorific
value).

16.
How
is
bio
gas
formed?
Name
the
gases
it
contains.
The gas produced when cow dung, various plant materials like the residue after
harvesting the crops, vegetable waste and sewage are decomposed in the absence of
oxygen
is
called
bio
gas.
Biogas is the combination of gases like methane carbon dioxide, hydrogen and
hydrogen
sulphide.

17.

Explain

the

construction

and

working

of

biogas

plant.

18.
What
are
the
advantages
of
using
biogas?
- Excellent fuel which burns without smoke and leaving no residue
High
heating
capacity
Also
used
for
lighting
The
slurry
left
behind
is
an
excellent
manure
Safe
and
efficient
method
of
waste
disposal
19.
How
is
wind
energy
harnessed?
Kinetic energy of wind is used to generate electricity using windmills. It consists of a
large electric fan which is erected at some height. This fan is rotated by the wind which
in
turn
rotates
the
turbine
of
an
electric
generator.
20.
What
is
a
wind
farm?
A large number of wind mills erected over large area is known as wind energy farm. The
energy output of each wind mill is coupled together to get more electricity.
21. What are the advantages of using wind mills to harness energy? What are the
difficulties
in
constructing
wind
farms?
It is an environment friendly and efficient renewable source. No recurring expenses
while
using
it.
The
limitations
faced
are
a. Windmills can be erected only at those places where wind blows at a minimum speed
of
15
km/h
b.
Back
up
facilities
are
to
be
made
in
case
of
no
wind
c.
Required
a
large
area
of
land
for
establishment
d. Initial cost of establishment is high and a high level of maintenance is required
22.
Solar

23.
The
24.

Name

some
heater,

What is
principles
Explain

the
used

devices
solar

used
for
cooker,

principle
behind
are black body
how

harnessing
solar

solar
cell

energy.
etc.

the working
of a solar cooker?
absorption and green house effect.

solar

cooker

is

constructed.

A box type solar cooker is made of a non conducting material with thick walls and its
inner walls painted black. With the help of a plane mirror hinged on the top of the box,
sunlight is reflected into the box. The box is covered with a glass sheet for the retention
of heat inside due to green house effect. The range of heat inside is 100 degree Celsius
to 140 degree Celsius, if kept for two to three hours. Keeping black containers in the
box help us to cook food items that require slow heating. The limitations of using solar
cooker are that it can be used only at certain times during a day.

25. What kind of mirror concave, convex or plain would be best suited for use in
solar
cooker?
Why?
Concave mirror is used in concentration type solar cookers to focus the heat radiation
from
sun
to
a
particular
point.
Plane mirror is used to reflect light into the box in the box type solar cooker.
26. Write a note on solar cells and its advantages and disadvantages.
Solar cells convert solar energy into electrical energy. It is made up of a material called
silicon. Each cell can produce a voltage of 0.5 to 1 V and can produce about 0.7 W of
electricity. Arrangement in which a large number of silicon cells are combined to get
electricity in high level is called solar panel. They are mounted on specially designed
inclined
roof
tops
exposed
to
the
solar
radiation.
Advantages
Need
little
maintenance
and
no
focusing
devices
- Can be useful in remote and inaccessible places where the power transmission is
difficult.
Disadvantages
Availability
of
special
grade
silicon
is
limited
- Manufacturing is expensive as silver is used for interconnecting cells
27.
What
are
a.
Used
in
b. Used in radio or
c.
Used
in

the
applications
of
solar
cell?
artificial
satellites
and
spacecrafts
wireless transmission system or TV relay stations
traffic
signals,
calculators
and
toys

28. What is meant by tidal energy? How is it used to generate electricity?

Due to the gravitational pull of the moon on the earth, the level of water in the sea rises
and falls. This phenomenon is called high tide and low tide. The difference in sea level
gives tidal energy. Tidal energy is harnessed by constructing a dam across a narrow
opening to the sea. A turbine fixed at the opening converts tidal energy into electricity.
29.
What
is
wave
energy?
The kinetic energy possessed by huge waves near the seashore can be used to operate
the
rotor
of
the
generator
and
electricity
is
generated.
30. Give the source of ocean thermal energy (OTE). Describe briefly the working of a
Ocean
Thermal
Energy
Plant
(OTEP)

The water at the surface of the sea is heated more by the sun than that at the deep
sea. The difference in temperature is exploited as ocean thermal energy. The ocean
thermal energy plants, OTEC, work if this temperature difference is about 20 degree
Celsius. The warm surface water is used to boil a volatile liquid like ammonia. This
vapor is used to the run the turbine of a generator to get electricity. The cold water
from the depth is pumped up to condense the vapor again to liquid ammonia.
31. What are the limitations of the energy that can be obtained from the oceans?
Initial
cost
is
high.
No
continuous
supply
of
energy
Difficulty
in
constructing
power
plants
near
the
ocean.
32.
Identify
the
terms
hot
spots
and
hot
springs.
Due geological changes, molten rocks formed in the deeper hot regions of earths crust
are pushed upward and trapped in certain regions called hot spots.
Hot water from hot spots finds outlets at the surface. Such outlets are known as hot
springs.
33. Explain how geothermal energy can be harnessed. What is the limitation in
harnessing
it?
34. What are the two processes by which the nuclear energy is released?
Nuclear
fission
and
nuclear
fusion
35. How the energy released by nuclear fission is made use of in generating electricity?
The nucleus of a heavy atom such as uranium can be split apart into lighter nuclei.
Tremendous energy is released during this process. Nuclear reaction is used to harness
this energy. Self sustaining chain reaction of the fuel ( uranium) releases energy in a
controlled rate. This energy produces steam by heating water which rotate turbine to
generate
electricity.
Advantage: The amount of energy released is tremendous. Energy is supplied for a
longer
period
of
time
from
the
source.
Disadvantages:
Improper fuel storage and disposal of nuclear waste results in
environmental
Possibility of risk of
High
cost
Limited
availability

accidental leakage
of
of

of

contamination
nuclear radiation
installation
fuel.

36. Hydrogen has been used as a rocket fuel. Would you consider it as a cleaner fuel
than
CNG
(Compressed
Natural
Gas)?
Yes. Because when hydrogen is burnt the byproduct is only water. So it is cleaner fuel
compared
to
CNG.
37.
Can
any
source
of
energy
be
pollution
free?
No. Although some sources are not producing any by - products causing pollution the

construction or assembly of such devices produces some environmental damage. In this

sense we can say no source of energy is pollution free.