Natural Resources Study Guide
Test Date: ____________________________________
Please study the following terms/ideas and make sure that you are able to list
examples of each.
*Resource: a material that is found in nature and used by living things (example:
air, water, gasoline, metals, coal, oil)
*Resources come from below, on and above the ground. Here are some
examples of each:
Below-diamonds, coal, oil, iron
On- water, trees, plants, soil
Above- air
*There are two basic types of resources; renewable and nonrenewable.
1. Renewable Resources: resources that can be replaced in a human
lifetime (ex: trees, plants, air, water)
2. Nonrenewable Resources: resources that will be used up someday (ex:
coal, oil, iron, copper)
*Fossil Fuels: Formed from decayed plants and animals (it takes millions of years
for fossil fuels to form in the Earth’s crust). Fossil fuels are used as an energy
sources (used to heat homes and to make fuel for cars). When the “fuels” are
burned, heat is released and then turns into energy. (Examples: coal, oil, natural
gas)
*Energy is also a natural resource.
*Solar energy-energy from the sun
*Fossil fuels, wind energy and water energy all come from the sun.
*The sun is the source of almost all energy on Earth. We use the sun for
light and heat energy. A lot of our body energy come from food. We get
a lot of our food from plants and the plants need sunlight to grow.
*The force of flowing water and moving air (wind) can also be used to
produce “electricity.” Strong winds (using a windmill) and water pressure
will help “spin” a generator and then electricity will be produced.
*Recycling- reusing a resource to make something new, this also reduces
pollution (you can recycle paper, glass, plastic and metals)
*Conserving: to “save” a resource
You can’t recycle all resources but you can CONSERVE them. This will
help them last longer.
Examples: use less heat or air condition in the house, take a shorter
shower, and carpool with a friend (to save gas)