What are the Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels, Why are We Looking at in Text Question Chapter 14 Sources of Energy

Intext Q No.s page no. 248

Q No. 1: What are the disadvantages of fossil fuels?
Ans: The disadvantages of fossil fuels are as follows:
(a) Burning of fossil fuels produces oxides of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, etc. that cause acid rain, which affects the soil fertility and water.
(b) Burning of fossil fuels produce gases such as carbon dioxide that causes global warming.

Q No. 2: Why are we looking at alternate sources of energy?
Ans: Fossil fuels which are traditionally used by human beings everywhere as an energy sources are non-renewable sources of energy. These sources of energy are limited and will disappear after some time. They are being consumed at a large rate. Therefore, we should conserve the energy sources. Hence, we should look for alternate sources of energy.

Q No. 3: How has the traditional use of wind and water energy been modified for our convenience?
Ans: Traditionally, waterfalls were used as a source of potential energy in which water is allowed to fall on the blades of the turbine where the rotatory motion of the blades of the turbine is converted into electrical energy. But waterfalls are few in number therefore water dams have been constructed. Nowadays, hydro-electric power stations are used in order to harness potential energy of stored water.
Earlier, the windmills were used to harness wind energy to do mechanical work such as lifting or drawing water from a well. But now a day’s windmills are used to generate electricity. In windmills the rotatory motion of the blades turns the blades of turbine to generate electricity.