Question 30 - Teachoo Sample Paper - Social Science Class 10 - Paper 1 - Solutions to CBSE Sample Paper - Social Science Class 10 - Social Science Class 10

Analyze the significance of coal as a major fossil fuel in India. Describe the different types of coal and their geographical distribution in the country. 

Answer:

Answer by Student

• Coal is a conventional source of energy that holds significant importance as a major fossil fuel in India , serving as a vital energy resource for various sectors. India heavily relies on coal to meet its commercial energy requirements.

• The different types of coal found in India include peat, lignite, bituminous coal, metallurgical coal, and anthracite.
  • Peat is the initial stage of coal formation and has low carbon content, high moisture content, and low heating capacity. 
  • Lignite is a low-grade brown coal with high moisture content, found in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu, primarily used for electricity generation.
  •  Bituminous coal, the most commonly used coal in commercial applications, is formed when coal is buried deep and subjected to increased temperatures.
  • Metallurgical coal, a high-grade bituminous coal, is valuable for smelting iron in blast furnaces. Anthracite, the highest quality hard coal, is also found in India.

• Coal deposits in India are found in rock series of two main geological ages: Gondwana and Tertiary.
•  The major reserves of Gondwana coal , including metallurgical coal, are located in the Damodar Valley in West Bengal and Jharkhand.
• Tertiary coals occur in the northeastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland

• Coal is a bulky material , and its weight reduces as it is consumed and turns into ash. Therefore, heavy industries and thermal power stations are often situated near coalfields to minimize transportation costs. 
  
  
• The presence of coalfields has facilitated the establishment of industries such as iron and steel, cement, fertilizers, chemicals, and thermal power generation. The availability of coal has played a crucial role in the country's industrialization and energy generation.