Chapter 14 – Natural Resources

Easy & Detailed Notes

1. What Are Natural Resources?

All materials available in nature used by humans are natural resources.
Examples: Air, Water, Soil, Forests, Wildlife, Minerals, etc.

2. Types of Natural Resources

Type	Example
Biotic (living)	Plants, animals
Abiotic (non-living)	Water, air, minerals

3. Atmosphere

Thin layer of air around Earth.
Maintains temperature and protects from UV rays.

4. Air Pollution

Contamination of air by harmful gases (CO₂, CO, SO₂, NO₂), dust, etc.
Effects:
Breathing problems
Global warming
Acid rain
Ozone depletion

5. Water Pollution

Mixing of harmful substances (chemicals, sewage) into water.
Effects:
Diseases
Death of aquatic life
Eutrophication

6. Water Cycle

Continuous process of evaporation → condensation → precipitation → collection.

7. Soil

Uppermost layer of Earth, supports plant growth.
Soil formation: Weathering of rocks + biological activity.

8. Soil Pollution

Mixing of harmful chemicals into soil.
Causes: Pesticides, waste dumping, plastic

9. Fossil Fuels

Non-renewable sources like coal, petroleum, natural gas.
Formed from dead plants/animals over millions of years.

10. Greenhouse Effect

Heat trapped by gases (CO₂, methane) → Earth’s temp rises.

11. Ozone Layer

Absorbs harmful UV rays.
Damaged by CFCs.

12. Rainwater Harvesting

Collecting and storing rainwater for future use.
Example: Rooftop tanks, pits

13. Ganga Action Plan

Launched in 1985 to reduce water pollution in River Ganga.

MCQs

Which one is a renewable resource?
a) Coal
b) Petroleum
c) Water
d) Natural gas
Major cause of ozone depletion:
a) CO₂
b) CFCs
c) NO₂
d) O₂
Greenhouse effect is caused by:
a) O₂
b) CO
c) CO₂
d) SO₂
Fossil fuels are:
a) Renewable
b) Unlimited
c) Non-renewable
d) Clean energy
Ganga Action Plan was started in:
a) 1980
b) 1985
c) 1990
d) 2000
Acid rain is caused by:
a) Oxygen
b) Hydrogen
c) SO₂ and NO₂
d) Carbon
Which of these pollutes soil?
a) Paper
b) Pesticides
c) Water
d) CO₂
Which gas traps most heat?
a) CO₂
b) Nitrogen
c) Oxygen
d) Helium
Ozone layer is present in:
a) Troposphere
b) Stratosphere
c) Mesosphere
d) Thermosphere
Which one is abiotic resource?
a) Cow
b) Tree
c) Water
d) Bird
Main component of air:
a) Oxygen
b) Carbon dioxide
c) Nitrogen
d) Argon
Soil forms from:
a) Wind
b) Water
c) Weathering of rocks
d) Sunlight
Which is not water pollution cause?
a) Pesticides
b) Sewage
c) Sunlight
d) Factory waste
Air pollution affects:
a) Heart
b) Lungs
c) Bones
d) Skin
Best way to conserve water:
a) Deforestation
b) Pollution
c) Rainwater harvesting
d) Burning fuels

Assertion & Reason

A: Coal is renewable.
R: It can be formed in a few years.
a) Both true, R explains A
b) Both true, R doesn’t explain A
c) A true, R false
d) A false, R true

A: CFCs damage ozone.
R: CFCs break ozone molecules.
a) Both true, R explains A
b) Both true, R doesn’t explain A
c) A true, R false
d) A false, R true

A: Soil supports plant life.
R: It contains nutrients.
a) Both true, R explains A
b) Both true, R doesn’t explain A
c) A true, R false
d) A false, R true

A: Ganga Action Plan reduced water pollution fully.
R: Waste dumping was stopped totally.
a) Both true
b) Both false
c) A false, R false
d) A true, R false

A: Rainwater harvesting conserves water.
R: It stores rainwater for use.
a) Both true, R explains A
b) Both true, R doesn’t explain A
c) A true, R false
d) A false, R true

Case-Based Study

Passage:
A village uses rainwater harvesting to conserve water. Pits are dug to collect rainwater. The water is used in dry seasons. People also plant trees and avoid plastic.

What method is used to save water?
a) Dam building
b) Rainwater harvesting
c) Borewell
d) Well
Why is rainwater harvesting important?
a) Wastes water
b) Prevents rainfall
c) Conserves water
d) Pollutes soil
Planting trees helps in:
a) Increasing pollution
b) Soil erosion
c) Climate balance
d) Causing floods
Plastic harms soil because:
a) It is biodegradable
b) Gets absorbed in soil
c) Is non-biodegradable
d) Grows plants
Why store water in dry season?
a) For rain
b) For decoration
c) To use when scarce
d) For cooling

Reason-Based Questions

Why is air pollution harmful?
It causes breathing problems and harms environment.
Why should we reduce use of fossil fuels?
They are non-renewable and cause pollution.
Why do we need to protect ozone layer?
It protects us from UV rays.
Why is rainwater harvesting needed?
To store water and reduce dependency on groundwater.
Why is planting trees important?
They prevent soil erosion and purify air.
Why do CFCs damage ozone?
They break ozone molecules in stratosphere.
Why is water cycle important?
It maintains water availability on Earth.
Why do factories pollute air and water?
Due to release of harmful gases and chemicals.
Why is Ganga polluted?
Due to sewage, industrial waste, and garbage.
Why is soil erosion dangerous?
It reduces soil fertility and plant growth.
Why should plastic be avoided?
It pollutes land and water and is non-degradable.
Why do we need clean air?
To stay healthy and prevent diseases.
Why is atmosphere important?
It protects Earth and supports life.
Why should we avoid deforestation?
It causes imbalance in ecosystem.
Why should we treat sewage before disposal?
To reduce water pollution and protect life.

Final Answer Key

MCQs:
1–c, 2–b, 3–c, 4–c, 5–b, 6–c, 7–b, 8–a, 9–b, 10–c, 11–c, 12–c, 13–c, 14–b, 15–c

Assertion & Reason:
16–d, 17–a, 18–a, 19–b, 20–a

Case-Based:
21–b, 22–c, 23–c, 24–c, 25–c