UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Primary energy sources are found in nature and have not yet undergone any conversion or transformation process. Coal dug directly from mines is a primary energy source because it is used in its original form for combustion. In contrast, electricity, petrol and hydrogen are secondary forms of energy obtained by processing or converting primary sources. Therefore, coal as extracted from mines is correctly identified as a primary source, as stated in Option C.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect since electricity from coal is a secondary energy form; it results from converting the chemical energy in coal into electrical energy through generation processes.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because petrol is produced in refineries by processing crude oil. It is a secondary product derived from the primary fossil resource, not a primary energy source itself.

Option C:
Option C is correct because coal in the ground or freshly mined represents a natural energy resource that can be used directly for heating or electricity generation, illustrating its status as primary energy.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because hydrogen produced by electrolysis depends on electricity, which is itself generated from primary sources. In this context, hydrogen is a secondary energy carrier, not a primary source.