Question

Distinguish between the following.

(i) Conventional and non-conventional sources of energy

(ii) Biogas and natural gas

(iii) Ferrous and non-ferrous minerals

(iv) Metallic and non-metallic minerals

Answer 1

(i)

Conventional sources of energy	Non-conventional sources of energy
Have been in common use for a long time	Are not commonly used
Are generally exhaustible	Are generally inexhaustible
Are mostly polluting	Are mostly non-polluting
Example: Firewood, coal	Example: Solar energy, nuclear energy

(ii)

Biogas	Natural gas
Formed using organic wastes such as dead plant and animal matter, animal dung and kitchen waste	Found along with petroleum deposits and gets released when crude oil is brought to the surface
Is a non-conventional source of energy	Is a conventional source of energy
Is easily available, especially in rural areas	Is not easily available; very few countries have sufficient natural gas reserves of their own
Is polluting; causes greenhouse effect as it releases carbon dioxide	Is a cleaner fuel
Used as a domestic fuel for cooking and lighting	Used as a domestic fuel as well as an industrial fuel

(iii)

Ferrous mineral	Non-ferrous mineral
A metallic mineral that contains iron	A metallic mineral that does not contain iron
Example: Iron ore, manganese	Example: Gold, silver

(iv)

Metallic mineral	Non-metallic mineral
A mineral containing metal in raw form	A mineral not containing metal
Example: Bauxite, iron ore	Example: Limestone, gypsum