CBSE Class 8 Science Exemplar NCERT Solutions Chapter 5: Coal and Petroleum
This chapter delves into the essential concepts of natural resources, focusing on coal and petroleum. Students will explore the classification of natural resources into inexhaustible and exhaustible categories, understanding the implications of their limited availability. The solutions provide detailed explanations on how fossil fuels like coal and petroleum are formed from the dead remains of living organisms over millions of years. It also covers the various products derived from coal processing, such as coke, coal tar, and coal gas, and distinguishes them from products like CNG. These NCERT Solutions are designed to help students grasp the fundamental principles of resource management and the importance of conserving these vital natural resources for future generations, aiding in effective exam revision.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Science Exemplar |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 |
Chapter summary
Chapter 5 of the CBSE Class 8 Science Exemplar focuses on Coal and Petroleum. It covers the definition and classification of natural resources, distinguishing between inexhaustible (like sunlight) and exhaustible (like coal, petroleum, wildlife) resources. The solutions explain the formation of fossil fuels from ancient organic matter and detail the industrial processing of coal to obtain useful products like coke, coal tar, and coal gas, while clarifying what is not obtained from coal (e.g., CNG). The chapter emphasizes the limited quantity of exhaustible resources and their potential for depletion due to human activities.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the classification of natural resources into inexhaustible and exhaustible types.
- Identify examples of both inexhaustible and exhaustible natural resources.
- Explain the formation process of fossil fuels like coal and petroleum.
- List and identify useful products obtained from the processing of coal.
- Differentiate between products derived from coal and those from natural gas (like CNG).
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Natural Resources
- Inexhaustible Natural Resources
- Exhaustible Natural Resources
- Fossil Fuels
- Formation of Coal
- Formation of Petroleum
- Coal Processing
- Products of Coal
- Coke
- Coal Tar
- Coal Gas
- CNG
Important topics
- Classification of Natural Resources (Exhaustible vs. Inexhaustible)
- Formation of Fossil Fuels
- Products Derived from Coal
- Understanding Resource Depletion
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Questions and Solutions
Multiple Choice Questions - 1
minerals
water
soil
plastic
Minerals, water, and soil are all materials found in nature and are therefore classified as natural resources. Plastic, on the other hand, is a synthetic material that is manufactured by humans and is not found in nature. Hence, plastic is not a natural resource.
Multiple Choice Questions - 2
coal
petroleum
sun-light
minerals
Air is considered an inexhaustible natural resource because its supply is vast and not significantly depleted by human actions. Among the given options, sunlight is also an inexhaustible natural resource as it is continuously available and not consumed by human activities. Coal, petroleum, and minerals are exhaustible natural resources because their quantities are limited and can be depleted with use.
Multiple Choice Questions - 3
coal and soil
air and sun-light
water and petroleum
wild life and minerals
Exhaustible natural resources are those that exist in limited quantities and can be used up. Soil, sunlight, and water are generally considered inexhaustible or renewable resources, meaning they are not easily depleted by human activities. Coal, petroleum, wildlife, and minerals are exhaustible because their availability is finite and they can be depleted through overuse.
Multiple Choice Questions - 4
coke
coal tar
coal gas CNG
When coal is processed in industries, useful products like coke, coal tar, and coal gas are obtained. CNG stands for Compressed Natural Gas, which is a different fossil fuel and is not a product derived from the processing of coal. CNG is obtained by compressing natural gas.
Multiple Choice Questions - 5
unlimited in quantity.
not dependent on nature.
limited in quantity.
not exhausted by human activities.
Exhaustible natural resources are defined by their limited availability. They exist in finite amounts on Earth and can be depleted or used up completely through human activities over time. Therefore, they are limited in quantity.
Multiple Choice Questions - 6
remains of non-living materials.
dead remains of birds only.
dead remains of insects only.
dead remains of living organisms.
Fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, are formed from the decomposition of the dead remains of ancient living organisms (like plants and animals) over millions of years. These organic materials were buried under layers of sediment and subjected to intense heat and pressure, transforming them into fossil fuels.
Common mistakes
- Confusing man-made substances with natural resources.
- Incorrectly classifying resources like soil or water as exhaustible.
- Mistaking products derived from natural gas (CNG) for those obtained from coal.
- Not understanding that fossil fuels originate from the decomposition of living organisms.
Revision tips
- Create flashcards for examples of inexhaustible and exhaustible resources.
- Draw a flowchart illustrating the formation of fossil fuels.
- Make a list of products obtained from coal processing and those not.
- Review the definitions of natural resources and fossil fuels regularly.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is NOT considered a natural resource?
Explanation: Natural resources are materials found in nature. Plastic is a synthetic material manufactured by humans, not found naturally.
Q2. Sunlight is an example of which type of natural resource?
Explanation: Sunlight is an inexhaustible natural resource because it is not depleted by human activities and is available in unlimited quantities.
Q3. Which pair represents exhaustible natural resources?
Explanation: Wildlife and minerals are exhaustible because their quantities are limited and can be depleted by human activities, unlike soil, air, sunlight, and water which are generally considered inexhaustible or renewable.
Q4. Which of the following products is NOT obtained from the processing of coal?
Explanation: CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is derived from natural gas, which is a different fossil fuel. Coke, coal tar, and coal gas are all products obtained from the industrial processing of coal.
Q5. Exhaustible natural resources are characterized by being:
Explanation: Exhaustible natural resources are those that exist in limited quantities and can be used up or depleted by human activities over time.
Q6. Fossil fuels are formed from:
Explanation: Fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum, are formed from the buried dead remains of ancient living organisms (plants and animals) over millions of years under specific geological conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What are natural resources?
Natural resources are materials obtained from nature that are essential for our survival and use. Examples include minerals, water, soil, air, coal, and petroleum.
What is the difference between inexhaustible and exhaustible natural resources?
Inexhaustible natural resources are available in unlimited quantities and are not depleted by human activities (e.g., sunlight, air). Exhaustible natural resources are limited in quantity and can be used up over time (e.g., coal, petroleum, wildlife).
How are fossil fuels formed?
Fossil fuels like coal and petroleum are formed from the dead remains of ancient living organisms (plants and animals) that were buried under the earth millions of years ago and subjected to heat and pressure.
What useful products can be obtained from coal?
Coal processing in industries yields useful products such as coke (used in steel making), coal tar (used in making dyes, medicines, and synthetic materials), and coal gas (used as fuel).
Is CNG a product of coal processing?
No, CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is not obtained from coal processing. It is a petroleum product made by compressing natural gas.
Why is it important to conserve exhaustible natural resources?
It is important to conserve exhaustible natural resources because they are limited and take millions of years to form. Their overuse can lead to depletion, impacting future generations and the environment.
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