Renewable vs Non-Renewable Energy - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Chapter: Sources of Energy | Topic: Renewable vs Non Renewable Energy
RENEWABLE VS NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Topic: Renewable vs Non Renewable Energy
Multiple Choice Questions
Q1. Which of the following is a renewable source of energy?
- Coal
- Petroleum
- Natural gas
- Solar energy
Q2. Fossil fuels are called non-renewable sources because:
- They are very expensive to extract
- They were formed over millions of years and cannot be replenished quickly
- They produce very little energy
- They are not available in all countries
Q3. Which of the following sources of energy is NOT ultimately derived from the Sun?
- Wind energy
- Biomass energy
- Geothermal energy
- Hydropower energy
Q4. A major disadvantage of using coal as an energy source in thermal power plants is:
- It is very difficult to transport
- It releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants
- It produces very little electricity
- It cannot be stored for long periods
Q5. Solar energy is considered a renewable source because:
- It is very cheap to install solar panels
- The Sun's energy will be available for billions of years
- It does not require any technology to harness
- It can be stored easily in batteries without any loss
Q6. In your school, the science club decides to set up a model to demonstrate a sustainable energy source. Which of the following would be the best choice to represent a renewable energy source that does not cause air pollution?
- A small coal-powered steam engine
- A model windmill connected to a small generator
- A miniature diesel generator
- A model showing burning of wood
Short Answer Questions
Q7. Define renewable and non-renewable sources of energy. Give one example of each.
Q8. Why are fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, and natural gas) considered to be non-renewable? Explain in terms of their formation process.
Q9. List two advantages and two disadvantages of using solar energy as a source of power for homes in India.
Q10. Your friend argues that "since India has large reserves of coal, we should continue using it instead of investing in expensive renewable energy." Give two strong scientific arguments against this view, considering environmental consequences.
Q11. Biogas is considered a good source of energy for rural areas in India. Why? Give two reasons.
Q12. Distinguish between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy. Give one example of each.
Long Answer Questions
Q3. Compare renewable and non-renewable sources of energy on the basis of:
(i) Availability and replenishment
(ii) Environmental impact
(iii) Cost of installation and maintenance
(iv) Long-term sustainability
(v) Examples of each type
Q14. India's National Solar Mission aims to promote solar energy across the country. Analyse why this is important for India by discussing:
(a) India's geographical advantage for solar energy
(b) Problems caused by over-dependence on coal and petroleum
(c) Two challenges India faces in implementing large-scale solar energy projects
Q15. A village in Rajasthan currently gets all its electricity from a diesel generator. The village panchayat is considering two alternatives: (A) Installing solar panels, or (B) Connecting to a nearby thermal power plant running on coal. As a member of the panchayat, evaluate both options based on cost, environmental impact, and long-term sustainability. Which option would you recommend and why?
Numerical / Application-Based Problems
Q16. A household in Delhi installs a solar panel system with a capacity of 3 kW. If the panel operates for an average of 5 hours per day at full capacity:
(a) Calculate the energy produced by the panel in one day (in kWh)
(b) If the household's daily energy requirement is 15 kWh, what percentage of their need is met by the solar panel?
(c) If electricity from the grid costs ₹8 per kWh, calculate the daily savings achieved by using solar energy.
Q17. A thermal power plant burns 5000 kg of coal per hour to generate electricity. The calorific value of coal is 30,000 kJ/kg.
(a) Calculate the total heat energy produced by burning coal in one hour.
(b) If the overall efficiency of the plant is 30%, calculate the electrical energy output in one hour (in kWh).
(c) How much coal would be saved per hour if the efficiency were improved to 40% for the same electrical output?
Q18. A school in Kerala wants to compare the environmental impact of using a 2 kW diesel generator versus a 2 kW solar power system for its science lab.
(a) If the diesel generator runs for 6 hours daily and consumes 0.5 litres of diesel per hour, calculate the daily diesel consumption.
(b) If burning 1 litre of diesel releases approximately 2.7 kg of CO₂, calculate the daily CO₂ emission from the generator.
(c) Calculate the daily energy output (in kWh) of the solar system if it receives 5 hours of good sunlight.
(d) Based on your calculations, which system is more environmentally friendly and why?