Meaning and types of renewable and non-renewable resources - SS2 Geography Lesson Note

Renewable Resources:

Renewable resources are natural substances that can be replaced naturally over time. They are essentially inexhaustible on human timescales. Here are some common types of renewable resources:

1. Solar Energy: This comes from the sun and can be harnessed using solar panels to produce electricity.
2. Wind Energy: Generated using wind turbines, which convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity.
3. Hydropower: Created by the flow of water, often by damming rivers to produce electricity.
4. Biomass: Organic materials like wood, crop residues, and waste can be used for energy production.
5. Geothermal Energy: Tapping into heat from the Earth's core for heating and electricity.
6. Tidal Energy: Generated from the rise and fall of tides in coastal areas.

 

Non-Renewable Resources:

1. Non-renewable resources are finite and cannot be naturally replaced in our lifetime. These resources are exhaustible. Here are some common types of non-renewable resources:
2. Fossil Fuels: Includes coal, oil, and natural gas. They are formed from ancient organic matter and are used for energy production.
3. Minerals: Like metals (e.g., iron, copper) and non-metals (e.g., salt, sulfur). They are used in various industries.
4. Nuclear Fuels: Such as uranium, used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity.
5. Natural Gas Liquids: These are byproducts of natural gas production, used as petrochemical feedstocks.
6. Tar Sands: A type of unconventional oil source, rich in bitumen, which requires intensive processing.
7. Uranium: Mined for nuclear power and nuclear weapons production.