Exploring Natural Resources
Lesson 1
Common Core/Next Generation Science Addressed!
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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of
science and technical texts, attending to important distinctions the author makes and to
any gaps or inconsistencies in the account.WHST.6‐8.2 - Write informative/explanatory
texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the
selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. (MS‐LS1‐6)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.7Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information
presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in
order to address a question or solve a problem.
HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of
natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced
human activity. [Clarification Statement: Examples of key natural resources include
access to fresh water (such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater), regions of fertile soils such
as river deltas, and high concentrations of minerals and fossil fuels. Examples of natural
hazards can be from interior processes (such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes),
surface processes (such as tsunamis, mass wasting and soil erosion), and severe
weather (such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts). Examples of the results of changes in
climate that can affect populations or drive mass migrations include changes to sea level,
regional patterns of temperature and precipitation, and the types of crops and livestock
that can be raised.]
Bell Work
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Define and identify types of natural
resources.
Distinguish between renewable and
nonrenewable resources.
Explain the difference between
inexhaustible and exhaustible resources.
Explain the concept of interdependent
relationships.
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What is around you?
Examine your surroundings, write
down everything that is living or
was once living.
Think about what you are
wearing, where you are sitting,
what you are writing on, etc.
What would life on earth be like
without these items?
Terms
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Air
Atmosphere
Climate
Domestication
Environment
Exhaustibility
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Exhaustible
natural resource
Fossil fuels
Inexhaustible
natural resource
Minerals
Natural resource
dependence
Terms
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Natural resources
Nonrenewable
natural resources
Renewability
Renewable
natural resources
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Soil
Water
Water cycle
Weather
Wildlife
Wind
Types of Natural Resources
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Resources that occur naturally in
nature are known as natural
resources.
Natural resources can be found
in our environment.
The environment are the
conditions that surround us.
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Types of Natural Resources
Natural resources cannot be
made by man, but man can help
ensure their continued existence.
People need many natural
resources to live.
Other natural resources are used
to make life easier.
Natural Resources Groups
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Air and wind
Fossil fuels
Minerals
People
Soil
Sunlight
Water
Wildlife
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Air and Wind
The atmosphere is the area
surrounding the Earth.
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Air is the mixture of gases that
surrounds the Earth.
Wind is the movement of the air.
Water vapor, gases, and
particulate can be found in the
atmosphere.
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Air and Wind
The conditions found in the
atmosphere are what causes
weather.
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Weather is the condition of the
atmosphere, including moisture,
temperature, movement, and
pressure.
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Air and Wind
The climate of an area helps
determine which natural
resources can survive in the area.
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Climate is the condition of the
weather in a particular location.
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Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are natural resources
used to provide energy.
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Fossil fuels took millions of years to
make.
They are the remains of decomposed
plants and animals.
Their energy comes from the energy
produced by the plants and animals.
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Fossil Fuels Groups
Petroleum
Natural gas
Coal
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Petroleum
Liquid form of fossil fuels used to
make gasoline and oils.
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Natural Gas
Gaseous form of fossil fuels used
in heating and cooking.
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Coal
Solid form of fossil fuels used in
factories and generating
electricity.
New Mexico Mineral Reserves!
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Oil – Fourth in the nation in reserves, 700
million barrels.
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Natural Gas – 15.6 Trillion cubic feet.
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Coal – 6860 million recoverable short tons
( a short ton is 2000 lbs.)
Minerals
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Natural inorganic substances on or in
the earth.
Are not living things.
Mined from the earth and are used to
produce everything from iron to brick.
Jewelry, coins, monuments, and
concrete are also made from
minerals.
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People
Help determine how other natural
resources are used.
As the population increases,
natural resource use will increase.
The wise use of resources is
necessary to ensure their future
availability.
Soil
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Outer layer of the earth’s surface that
supports life.
Plants grow in soil, humans and other
animals eat plants, humans and animals
produce waste that provides nutrients for
plants to grow, and the cycle continues.
However, soil can be easily eroded by
misuse.
Soil must be protected in order for it to
continue to be a resource.
Sunlight
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The source of almost all the energy
used on the Earth.
The light from the sun produces solar
energy.
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Plants use this energy in the process of
photosynthesis.
People can also use this energy if it is
harnessed using solar collectors.
Water
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A tasteless, colorless, liquid natural
resource. All living things need water
to survive.
Water is a naturally occurring
compound made up of two atoms of
hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
Water can be found in three forms,
solid, liquid, and gas.
Water Cycle
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Movement of water
from the earth’s
surface to the
atmosphere and
back to the
surface.
Water is
continuously
renewed through
the hydrologic
cycle.
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Wildlife
All of the plants and animals that
live in the wild.
These plants and animals have
not been domesticated.
Domestication is the control of
plants and animals by man.
Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
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One way to classify natural
resources is based on their
renewability.
Renewability is whether or not a
resource can be restored after
use.
Some natural resources can be
renewed, others cannot.
Renewable Natural Resources
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Natural resources that can be
replaced after use.
They can be renewed and used
again, but it may take many years.
Soil is a renewable natural resource,
however it is not a fast process.
Plants and water are other renewable
natural resources.
Nonrenewable Natural Resources
 Natural resources that cannot be
replaced after use.
 Minerals and fossils fuels are two
types of nonrenewable natural
resources.
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Inexhaustible and Exhaustible
Natural Resources
Exhaustibility refers to whether or
not a natural resource can be
replenished as it is used.
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As with renew ability, some
resources can be exhausted,
others cannot.
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Inexhaustible Natural Resource
A resource that is continuously
replenished, the supply of the
resource will not run out.
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Sunlight, wind, and water are
inexhaustible natural resources.
Exhaustible Natural Resource
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A resource that is available in limited
quantity and can be completely used.
Exhaustible resources can be
replaceable or irreplaceable.
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A replaceable natural resource can be
replenished. Most wildlife are
replaceable.
An irreplaceable natural resource is
gone once it is used. Fossil fuels and
most minerals are irreplaceable.
Interdependent Relationships
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The idea that all
natural resources
depend on each
other is known as
natural resource
dependence.
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This means that
all living things
depend on each
other.
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Natural Resource Dependence
Humans need animals for food,
clothing, and at one time for work.
Humans and animals need plants
to live.
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Plants are used for food and the
plants help produce oxygen
needed to breathe.
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Natural Resource Dependence
Plants depend on animals and
humans.
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Animals, including humans, give off
carbon dioxide that the plants need
to live.
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Natural Resource Dependence
When animals die, they
decompose.
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The decomposition process
releases minerals back into the
soil.
Plants can use these minerals for
growth.
Review/Summary
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Define and identify types of natural
resources.
Distinguish between renewable and
nonrenewable resources.
Explain the difference between
inexhaustible and exhaustible
resources.
Explain the concept of interdependent
relationships.