NATURAL RESOURCES Natural Resources Natural resources are useful

NATURAL RESOURCES

Natural Resources Natural resources are useful minerals and other materials that people take from the Earth

Natural Resources Natural resources can be classified into three groups: 1. Renewable Resources 2. Nonrenewable Resources 3. Inexhaustible Resources

Renewable Resources A renewable resource is a resource that is replaced as it is used. Trees are renewable resources because when humans cut down trees, new ones can grow in their place.

Nonrenewable Resources A nonrenewable resource is a resource that cannot be replaced once it is used up or a resource that takes thousands of years to form. Rocks, minerals, soil, and fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) are nonrenewable resources.

COAL, PETROLEUM, AND GAS Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are considered nonrenewable because they can not be replenished in a short period of time. These are called fossil fuels.

Inexhaustible Resources Inexhaustible or reusable resources are natural resources that can be used over and over. Inexhaustible resources can last forever if they are used carefully. Water, air, and solar energy are examples of inexhaustible resources.

Something to Think About… What do you think would happen if resources such as air and water could not be reused?

SUMMARY What are the differences between nonrenewable and renewable resources?