Transcript Slide 1

Natural Resource
Notes
What is a Natural Resource?

A material from the Earth that is useful to
human beings.
Organisms
 Substances
 Energy supplies
 Natural – NOT human-made
 Something we can use

Two Kinds of Natural Resources
Renewable
Nonrenewable
Renewable Resources

Resources that can be replaced or used again within
a short amount of time.




Sun
Wind
Water
Biomass
Just a few
examples…there
are many more!
Sun


Solar Panels
Photosynthesis
http://www.phschool.com/atschool/california/science_
explorer/earth_science/Student_Area/FES_SC21_ACT
_index.html (12/16/2002)
http://www.gardencomposer.com/showlargeg.html?n189080a.jpg (12/16/2002).
Wind
Windmills
http://www.palmsprings.com/services/wind.html (12/16/2002)
Water
 Dam
http://www.palmsprings.com/services/wind.html (12/16/2002).
Biomass

Burning of crops creates fuel.
http://www.phschool.com/atschool/california/science_explorer/earth_sci
ence/Student_Area/FES_SC21_ACT_index.html (12/16/2002).
Non-Renewable Resources

Resources that cannot be used again.
Topsoil
 Fossil Fuels
 Nuclear Fuels

Topsoil
 Layer
of the Earth’s crust that is rich
in nutrients.
 It takes hundreds of years to replace
1cm of topsoil.
Fossil Fuels


Give off heat energy when we burn the carbon
inside them.
Pollution = CO2


Global Warming
Examples:
Coal
 Oil
 Natural Gas


Most of our electricity comes from burning coal
and oil.
Nuclear Fuels


Energy produced when splitting atoms.
Examples:
Uranium
 Plutonium


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If done correctly – No Pollution
If not done correctly – long lasting horrific
affects (i.e. Chernobyl Explosion).
Conserving our Resources
 Limit
electricity use.
 Ride a bike instead of drive a car.
 Carpool.
 Read a book instead of watching the
tube.
….And the list goes on and on…