Question

Read the following statements carefully and choose the correct option: Assertion (A): Iron and steel is considered a heavy industry. Reason (R): It requires lightweight raw materials like cotton and rubber.

• A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
• B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
• C. A is true, but R is false
• D. A is false, but R is true

Answer 1

Answer:

C. A is true, but R is false

Heavy Industries and Raw Materials

Assertion (A): Iron and steel is considered a heavy industry.

• Definition of Heavy Industry: Heavy industries are characterized by the production of large-scale goods, typically involving significant capital investment, large factories, and a substantial workforce. They often deal with heavy machinery, metals, and materials.

• Iron and Steel Industry Characteristics: The iron and steel sector fits this definition perfectly. It involves the mining of iron ore, its processing in blast furnaces, and the subsequent manufacturing of steel products. These processes are capital-intensive and require massive infrastructure.

• Examples of Heavy Industries: Other examples include shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing, and heavy equipment production.

Reason (R): It requires lightweight raw materials like cotton and rubber.

• Raw Materials for Iron and Steel: The primary raw materials for the iron and steel industry are iron ore and coking coal. Limestone is also used as a flux. These are all dense, heavy materials, not lightweight ones.

• Characteristics of Lightweight Raw Materials: Lightweight raw materials, such as cotton (used in the textile industry) and rubber (used in various manufacturing processes like tire production), are characteristic of different types of industries, often categorized as light industries or consumer goods manufacturing.

• Contradiction: The statement that iron and steel requires lightweight raw materials is factually incorrect and contradicts the nature of the industry's material requirements.