Question

Which one of the following is rich in mica deposits?
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Jharkhand
C. Maharashtra
D. Tamil Nadu

Answer 1

Hint: A mineral is a homogenous, naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure. Mica is a non-metallic mineral; which is made up of a series of plates or leaves; it splits into thin sheets easily.

Complete answer: Rocks are combinations of homogeneous substances called minerals. Ranging from the hardest diamond to the softest talc, minerals are found in varied forms in nature. Minerals are usually found in “ores''. An accumulation of any mineral mixed with other elements is known as ore. To make its extraction commercially viable, the mineral content of the ore must be in sufficient concentration. Minerals are classified into three types- Metallic, Non-Metallic, and Energy Minerals, out of which Metallic minerals are of three types- Ferrous, Non-Ferrous, and Precious metals.
Non-Metallic minerals are those minerals that do not have metal in them. There are many non-metallic minerals like mica, salt, potash, sulfur, granite, limestone, marble, sandstone, etc. Mica can be found in various colors including clear, black, green, red, yellow, and brown. Mica is one of the most necessarily used minerals in electronic industries. Its properties are excellent low power loss factor, insulating properties, resistance to high voltage, and dielectric strength. Mica deposits can be found on the northern edge of the Chota Nagpur plateau. The leading producer is the Koderma Gaya- Hazaribagh belt of Jharkhand. The major mica producing area in Rajasthan is around Ajmer. Located in Andhra Pradesh, the Nellore mica belt is also an important producer in the country.

Thus, option (B) is correct.

Note: The mica sheets are so thin that a thousand sheets can be layered into a mica sheet of a few centimeters high. Mica is classified into three types- dioctahedral micas, trioctahedral micas, and interlayer-deficient micas.