assignment on renewable and nonrenewable resources

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Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

In the era of rapid technological advancement and environmental awareness, the distinction between renewable and nonrenewable resources is critically important. Let’s explore these two categories of resources, their definitions, examples, and the implications of their use, especially in the context of energy production.

What Are Renewable Resources?

Renewable resources are those that replenish naturally in a relatively short timeframe. These resources are sustainable as they can be used indefinitely without depletion, provided they are managed responsibly. Nonrenewable resources, on the other hand, are either finite or else they replenish very slowly, usually over geological time spans. Once these resources run out, they’re gone.

The time frame that distinguishes renewable resources from nonrenewable resources is not precisely defined, as it depends on various factors such as the rate of consumption and the natural replenishment rate of the resource. However, here is a general guideline:

• Renewable Resources: These replenish on a human timescale, meaning they restore naturally at a rate comparable to or faster than the rate of human consumption. This time frame ranges from a few hours (like sunlight) to several decades (such as forest regrowth). The key aspect is that the resource is sustainable without running the risk of depletion.
• Nonrenewable Resources: In contrast, nonrenewable resources exist in finite amounts or replenish over vast time scales, which are much longer than human lifespans or even the lifespan of human civilizations. This ranges from thousands to millions of years. For instance, fossil fuels like coal and petroleum took millions of years to form and won’t replenish within a human time frame once depleted.

10 Examples of Renewable Resources

The food we eat, crops that supply materials for various purposes, and anything relating to energy from the Sun or Earth are renewable. Air and water are also renewable, up to a point.

• Agricultural Products: Crops and livestock regenerate seasonally or annually. Wild food sources are also renewable with management.
• Solar Energy: Energy from the sun.
• Wind Energy: Energy from wind.
• Hydropower: Energy from the movement of water in rivers, streams, or dams.
• Biomass: Organic material from plants and animals used as fuel.
• Geothermal Energy: Heat from the Earth’s interior.
• Tidal Energy: Energy from the movement of tides, a form of hydropower.
• Wave Energy: Energy from the surface motion of oceans or lakes.
• Biofuels: Fuels from organic materials, such as ethanol and biodiesel.
• Ambient Heat: Energy from the air or water temperature differences in the environment.

10 Examples of Nonrenewable Resources

• Coal: A fossil fuel primarily for electricity generation and industrial processes.
• Crude Oil: A liquid fossil fuel that yields gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum products.
• Natural Gas: A gaseous fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane, used for heating, cooking, and electricity generation.
• Nuclear Energy: Comes from the nuclear reactions of elements like uranium . Note this applies to fission . Fusion is theoretically a renewable form of nuclear energy. Power from radioactive decay isn’t renewable, exactly, but some decay processes occur over thousands, millions, or billions of years.
• Minerals : Such as gold, silver, and copper, which are mined from the Earth.
• Metal Ores: Iron, aluminum, and zinc ores which are extracted and refined.
• Phosphates: Used for fertilizers and limited in supply.
• Rare Earth Elements: Essential for modern electronics and have limited sources.
• Sand : Used in construction, glass making, etc., and facing scarcity in certain locations.
• Topsoil: Essential for agriculture; its depletion is a concern in many areas due to erosion and overuse.

Is Water a Renewable Resource?

Some resources are technically renewable, yet their replacement isn’t quite fast enough for sustainability. For example, depending on the situation, water is either a renewable or nonrenewable resource.

Water as a Renewable Resource

In its natural cycle, water is considered renewable. It goes through a continuous process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation (the hydrological cycle ), which replenishes freshwater sources such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers over time. This cycle is powered by the sun, and as long as the sun shines, the water cycle will continue.

Situations Where Water Is Nonrenewable

However, there are scenarios where water is effectively a nonrenewable resource:

• Overuse of Groundwater: In some areas, groundwater extraction is faster than the rate at which is replenishes naturally. This is common in agricultural and densely populated regions. When aquifers deplete faster than they recharge, water is effectively nonrenewable.
• Pollution: Water contaminated by pollutants becomes unusable. If the contamination is severe and persistent, the affected water source is nonrenewable since it cannot be naturally cleaned and replenished at a viable rate.
• Climate Change and Drought: Climate change alters weather patterns, leading to droughts in areas that previously had abundant water. This turns previously renewable sources of water into nonrenewable ones, at least temporarily.
• Geographical Limitations: In certain arid regions, the natural replenishment of water sources is extremely limited. In these areas, the availability of naturally occurring fresh water is so low that it functions more like a nonrenewable resource.

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energy

Energy is a fundamental requirement for modern civilization, and its generation comes from both renewable and nonrenewable resources.

Examples of 10 Renewable Energy Sources

• Solar Power: Energy from sunlight using solar panels.
• Wind Power: Energy from wind using turbines.
• Hydropower: Energy from the movement of water in rivers, dams, or tidal currents.
• Biomass Energy: Energy from organic materials like wood, crop waste, and biogas.
• Geothermal Energy: Heat energy from the Earth’s internal heat.
• Tidal Energy: Energy from the rise and fall of tides.
• Wave Energy: Energy from surface waves on oceans or lakes.
• Biofuels: Fuels from organic materials, such as ethanol from corn or biodiesel from vegetable oil.
• Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): Utilizing temperature differences between surface and deep ocean waters for energy production.
• Solar Thermal Power: Uses sunlight to produce heat, which then generates electricity (different from photovoltaic solar power).

Examples of 10 Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Generally speaking, fossil fuels and anything mined from the ground counts as nonrenewable. This includes minerals, elements, chemicals for batteries, and nuclear fuels.

• Coal: Burned for electricity generation and industrial applications.
• Crude Oil: Refined into gasoline, diesel, and other fuels.
• Natural Gas: Used for heating, cooking, and electricity generation.
• Nuclear Power: Energy produced from nuclear reactions, often using uranium.
• Peat: An accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter, used similarly to coal.
• Oil Shale: Sedimentary rock containing organic matter converted into oil through processing.
• Tar Sands (Bitumen): A combination of clay, sand, water, and bitumen, processed to extract crude oil.
• Diesel: A type of fuel derived from crude oil, used in various engines.
• Propane: A byproduct of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, used as fuel.
• Kerosene: A lighter fuel derived from petroleum, used for heating, lighting, and jet engines.

Environmental Impact, Cost, and Infrastructure

1. Environmental Impact:

• Renewable Energy: Generally has a lower environmental impact. For example, solar and wind power produce no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. However, their production and disposal has environmental effects.
• Nonrenewable Energy: Typically has a significant environmental impact, particularly fossil fuels, which are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
• Renewable Energy: Initially high investment costs but low operational costs. The cost of technologies like solar and wind power is decreasing over time.
• Nonrenewable Energy: Often cheaper in terms of upfront costs but has higher long-term costs, considering factors like environmental damage and health impacts.

3. Infrastructure Requirements:

• Renewable Energy: Requires significant infrastructure investment, such as wind farms or solar panels. Some renewable sources are also location-dependent.
• Nonrenewable Energy: Established infrastructure in most places, but extraction and transportation are challenging and environmentally damaging.

Cases Where Renewable Energy Is Not “Greener”

Renewable energy offers hope for clean, green power. But, there are scenarios where renewable energy sources is not environmentally superior. For example:

• Biomass Energy: Leads to deforestation and increase in carbon emissions if not managed sustainably.
• Hydropower: Large dams disrupt ecosystems and displace communities.
• Solar Panels and Wind Turbines: Their production involves energy-intensive processes and materials that are harmful if not disposed of properly. Wind turbines also pose risks to wildlife.

Pros and Cons of Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energy

Pros of Renewable Energy:

• Sustainable and inexhaustible.
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
• Potential for local job creation.

Cons of Renewable Energy:

• Higher initial costs.
• Intermittency issues (e.g., solar energy is not produced at night).
• Requires large areas for some technologies.
• Environmental impact in manufacturing and disposal.

Pros of Nonrenewable Energy:

• Reliable and consistent energy supply.
• Established infrastructure and technology.
• Lower initial investment in many cases.

Cons of Nonrenewable Energy:

• Finite and unsustainable in the long term.
• Significant environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Health risks associated with pollution.
• Vulnerable to market and geopolitical fluctuations.

The choice between renewable and nonrenewable resources is not just a matter of replacing one with the other; it involves a complex consideration of environmental impacts, costs, infrastructure needs, and technological advancements. While renewable energy is often seen as the greener alternative, its implementation requires careful management to minimize negative impacts. Balancing the pros and cons of both types of resources is essential for a sustainable and responsible energy future.

• Ang, Tze-Zhang; Salem, Mohamed; et al. (2022). “A comprehensive study of renewable energy sources: Classifications, challenges and suggestions”. Energy Strategy Reviews . 43: 100939. doi: 10.1016/j.esr.2022.100939
• Committee on 21st Century Systems Agriculture (2010). Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century . National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-14896-2.
• Nikolau, Basil J.; Perera, M. Ann D.N.; et al. (2008). “Platform biochemicals for a biorenewable chemical industry”. The Plant Journal . 54 (4): 536–545. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-313X.2008.03484.x
• Owusu, Phebe Asantewaa; Asumadu-Sarkodie, Samuel (2016). “A review of renewable energy sources, sustainability issues and climate change mitigation”. Cogent Engineering . 3 (1): 1167990. doi: 10.1080/23311916.2016.1167990

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All About Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

What are Resources?

Resources refer to all the materials present in our environment which are used by living beings. Resources are considered to be very useful raw materials found in the environment. These are known as materials that are found in nature. They are beneficial to every individual in a variety of ways.

Define Natural Resources

Humans require many useful things available in nature to live on this planet. These are referred to as natural resources. Air, water, woods, animals, and minerals are some examples. When humans use natural things to make a new thing that increases its value, it is known as a man-made resource.

Types of Natural Resources

Natural resources are important for living beings. There are many ways of classifying natural resources. The most general category is the amount of resources available for human consumption. There are two types of energy resources: renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

What is a Renewable Resource ?

Renewable resources are those that cannot be depleted. They are always available and thus could be reused. The various types of Renewable resources are given below:

Renewable Resources : Examples

Sun - The energy obtained from sunlight is solar energy. The sun is the ultimate natural resource for all living beings on the earth. Plants utilise solar energy and make their own food through photosynthesis.

Wind - It is an important renewable resource required for the survival of living organisms. Air is important to carry out photosynthesis (the process by which green plants turn carbon dioxide and water into food using energy from sunlight) and respiration (the inhaling of oxygen and the exhaling of carbon dioxide) in plants and animals, respectively. The energy that is obtained from wind is termed as wind energy. 

Water - Water is required for survival. Humans use water for a variety of reasons, including drinking, washing, cooking, and cultivating crops. Hydro energy is generated by water flowing into a river or water held in a dam. Hydro energy is power that is generated from moving water such as rivers. 

Converting hydro energy into electrical energy is a simple way to utilise it. Electrical energy is a specific form of energy that is the result of an electric charge. Electrical energy is a specific form of energy that is the result of an electric charge.

Soil - Soil is a valuable resource as it is the layer in which plants grow. Living beings require food to live. Plants produce most of the food that is required by living organisms.

Biogas - Biogas is a form of fuel that is a mixture of gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and other gases produced by the breakdown of animal and plant wastes such as animal dung in the presence of water with the help of microorganisms. It is commonly used as a fuel for gas stoves, particularly in rural regions.

What is a Non-renewable Resource ? 

Natural resources that are limited in quantity are referred to as non-renewable resources. These resources cannot be supplied or regenerated in a short duration of time. These resources cannot be reused. The various types of non renewable resources are as follows.

Non-renewable Resources : Examples

Fossil Fuels- Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources. This means that they will ultimately be finished, which is why energy prices are rising. Fossil fuels consist of coal, natural gas and petroleum.

Coal- Coal is used as a fuel, to generate electricity, and in factories and steam engines.

Natural gas- Natural gas, often known as compressed natural gas, is an excellent alternative to petrol and diesel. It burns quickly and generates a large amount of heat. It's an excellent source of hydrogen.

Petroleum- Mineral oil or crude oil are other names for petroleum. Petrol, diesel, cooking gas, and kerosene are all made from this liquid mineral. It can be found deep within the earth.

Nuclear energy- This energy source involves use of radioactive material that is found in nature. Uranium is primarily used to make nuclear reactor fuel rods. Heat is generated when neutrons(neutral particles present in the atom) hit with the fuel rods. This converts water to steam, which is used to move turbines. As a result, it  generates electricity.

Difference Between Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

Non-renewable resources like fossil fuels release harmful chemicals into the air when they are burned.

Renewable resources are so abundant that they almost never run out. 

One wind turbine can generate enough electricity to power 1,400 households.

Renewable energy creates three times more jobs than fossil fuels can create. 

Resources refer to all the materials present in our environment which are used by living beings. Natural resources are materials present in nature and are used by humans. Renewable resources are those which cannot be depleted and could be reused. Examples of renewable resources include air, water, soil, solar energy, etc. Natural resources that are limited in quantity are referred to as non-renewable resources. The examples are coal, petroleum, etc. 

Learning By Doing

In the given table, identify the following as renewable and non-renewable resources and name them.

FAQs on All About Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

1. Can a renewable resource be used over and over again?

A renewable resource is one that may be utilised again and over again and does not deplete since it is replenished organically. Examples of renewable resources are air, sun, water, etc.

2. What energy is renewable?

Renewable energy, often known as clean energy, is generated from naturally regenerated sources or processes. For example- Solar energy comes from the sun, hydro energy comes from water, etc. 

3. How can we save non-renewable resources?

We can save non-renewable resources in following ways:

Wastage of resources should be avoided.

Shutting off fans, lamps, and coolers when not in use.

Opting for carpooling to save petrol should be practised.

FREE K-12 standards-aligned STEM

curriculum for educators everywhere!

Find more at TeachEngineering.org .

• TeachEngineering
• Renewable Energy

Lesson Renewable Energy

Grade Level: 4 (3-5)

Time Required: 45 minutes

Lesson Dependency: None

Subject Areas: Earth and Space, Physical Science, Science and Technology

NGSS Performance Expectations:

• Print lesson and its associated curriculum

Curriculum in this Unit Units serve as guides to a particular content or subject area. Nested under units are lessons (in purple) and hands-on activities (in blue). Note that not all lessons and activities will exist under a unit, and instead may exist as "standalone" curriculum.

• Water Power
• Solar Power
• Wild Wind! Making Weather Vanes to Find Prevailing Winds
• Wind Energy: Making & Testing Pinwheels to Model Wind Turbines
• Gone with the Wind Energy: Design-Build-Test Mini Sail Cars!
• Build an Anemometer to Measure Wind Speed
• Wind Power! Designing a Wind Turbine
• Windmill of Your Mind — Distributed Energy Goes to School
• Falling Water
• Waterwheel Work: Energy Transformations and Rotational Rates
• A Case of Innovation: Technical Writing about River Current Power
• Stations of Light
• Capturing the Sun's Warmth
• Cooking with the Sun: Comparing Yummy Solar Cooker Designs
• Design and Test Model Solar Water Heaters
• Design a Solar City
• Power to the People

TE Newsletter

Engineering connection, learning objectives, more curriculum like this, introduction/motivation, associated activities, lesson closure, vocabulary/definitions, user comments & tips.

Engineers have a good understanding about energy, so they can harness renewable resources to create electricity for use in our everyday lives. Mechanical, electrical and civil engineers collaborate to develop new and more efficient ways to generate electricity from renewable resources. They design cleaner-burning engines and new car designs (such as hybrid cars) that require less fuel and result in improved gas mileage which in turns improves our planet.

After this lesson, students should be able to:

• Describe sources and uses of energy.
• Define renewable and non-renewable energy.
• Provide examples of common types of renewable and non-renewable resources.
• Understand and explain general ways to save energy at a personal, community and global level.
• Understand and explain, in general terms, how passive solar heating, hydropower and wind power work.
• Describe some general characteristics of solar power, hydropower and wind power.
• Understand the benefits and disadvantages to using renewable resources.
• Explain how engineers design more efficient ways to use generate electricity.
• Describe the role of engineers in energy conservation.

Educational Standards Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards. All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN) , a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org). In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g. , by state; within source by type; e.g. , science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc .

Ngss: next generation science standards - science, international technology and engineering educators association - technology.

View aligned curriculum

Do you agree with this alignment? Thanks for your feedback!

State Standards

Colorado - science.

Brainstorm a list of ideas about where and when we use energy. (Answer: We use energy all the time. Humans use energy to be active – to walk, talk, play basketball, etc. We use energy to power our appliances, vehicles, lights, etc. Cells use energy to perform the most basic life functions. Life as we know it would not be possible without energy production and consumption.)

Energy is everywhere! Although sometimes you can hear energy (sound), feel energy (wind), taste energy (food), and see energy (light), most often it is hard to figure out exactly where energy is.

Energy can move and change, but it cannot be destroyed. Almost every form of energy can be converted into other forms. It is similar to the heat you feel coming off a light bulb while it is on. The warmth is light energy changed to heat energy. Whatever form it is in, energy is essentially the ability for making something happen or, as scientists put it, "doing work."

Where do we get our energy? Well, a lot of energy originally comes from the sun. We get some energy directly from the sun when we use solar panels; however, most energy comes from fossil fuels (coal and oil), which got their energy from fossilized plants and other organisms that obtained their energy directly from the sun by a process called photosynthesis that occurred many years ago. There are many different types of energy, as we brainstormed earlier. Some of these types of energy are called renewable , or can be re-used, such as energy from the sun, wind or water. Other energy is called non-renewable because once it is used up, it is gone, like coal and oil.

Now, imagine yourself having surgery in a hospital and the power goes out. This scenario would be terrible. Fortunately, hospitals have backup generators (designed by engineers!) to prevent this from ever happening. Generators are like storage houses for energy and are usually powered by electricity from coal or fossil fuels. Generators are not normally attached to things like stoplights, railcars or computer networks, which is why we sometimes see stoplights that have gone out. Now, imagine that all of the above mentioned things are backed up with solar energy power or another type of stored renewable energy. This stored power, especially in the form of solar power, never becomes overloaded (which is what happens when the lights in your house or neighborhood go out). The renewable source is always supplying more energy; i.e., the sun is almost always shining on some part of the Earth, wind is always blowing, and rivers are always running. Storing renewable energy for power failures is a better idea because those energy supplies will never run out.

Engineers know all about energy and are currently designing new and more efficient ways to generate electricity using renewable resources. They are designing cleaner engines that use less fuel and new car designs that use electric motors. Today, we are going to look at how engineers can use sun, wind and water power to create electricity to run our homes, cars and everything else. Wow! What incredible engineering creativity!

Lesson Background and Concepts for Teachers

What Is Power?

Energy is the ability to do work (applying a force over a distance), to make things happen, to cause change, or to start motion (a change in position of an object with time). It is the capacity for vigorous activity.

Energy can move (be transferred) and change (be transformed), but it cannot be destroyed. Interactions produce changes in a system, although the total quantities of energy remain unchanged. For example, a power station produces electricity by changing the energy from fuel into electrical energy. A gas-fired power station burns gas, converting the gas' chemical energy into heat. Almost every form of energy can be converted into other forms. But whatever form it is in, energy is essentially the capacity for making something happen or, as scientists put it, "doing work."

Energy comes from many sources, directly or indirectly: power plants, people, food, light, windmills, turbines, fires, electrical circuits, the sun, machines, etc. All energy originally comes from natural resources, most of which originate from the sun.

We use energy to heat houses and buildings, provide light, heating water, break down food, play sports, do activities, operate vehicles, etc.

What are the Different Types of Energy?

• Biomass is the combustion of materials that originate from living things.
• Chemical is used to fuel automobiles and other vehicles.
• Electrical drives many small machines and keeps lights glowing.
• Geothermal taps steam from water heated underground (like geysers) and uses it to spin turbines.
• Hydrogen power uses electricity to break down water into hydrogen gas. The amount of energy released is less than the energy used to break it apart, so not currently feasible.
• Hydroelectricity generates electricity by harnessing the power of flowing water (a renewable resource as long as there is rain). Refer to the associated activity Water Power for students to observe and learn about water related methods of harvesting energy.
• Kinetic is the energy of motion. A spinning top, a falling object, and a rolling ball all have kinetic energy. The motion, if resisted by a force, does work. Wind and water both have kinetic energy. Refer to the associated activity Wind Power to give students an understanding of how wind energy is harvested and used. 
• Light energy is generated from light bulbs and computer screens, the sun.
• Nuclear fusion imitates the method the sun uses to produce energy. It involves the joining together of the nuclei of hydrogen atoms.
• Nuclear fission is when energy is given off from splitting nuclei of uranium atoms.
• Potential energy is the energy stored by an object as a result of its position. For example, roller coaster at the top of a hill.
• Sound energy is created, for example, when a door slams, it releases sound energy.
• Solar energy occurs from the sun (light). Refer to the associated activity Solar Power for students to explore this energy form. 
• Thermal energy (or heat) boils water, keeps us warm and drives engines.
• Tidal energy is when the energy from ocean tides is harnessed.

Other energy sources, for example, include energy created from old car tires: this source fuels five power stations in the U.S. Also, engineers are trying to design new gas power stations (gas drives the electricity generators and then is reused to heat the plant). Lastly, methane that is produced in sanitary landfills may be used to make power.

How are Energy Sources Categorized?

What are Engineers Doing to Improve Our Energy Sources?

Current uses of fossil fuels have catastrophic effects on our environment. Obtaining and using them destroys natural habitats and pollutes the air, water, and land. We can reduce this consumption of fossil fuels by finding alternative, renewable methods of energy production. Engineers are involved in many new technologies that will save our precious resources from devastating long-term effects.

And, engineers are improving the design of factories and products to make even more efficient use of our resources. They are designing cleaner engines that use less fuel and new car designs that run by electric motors. They are studying corals because they very efficiently use low levels of phosphate in the water for energy. Corals have fractal surfaces, and scientists believe that fractal surfaces could make many chemical reactions more efficient. They are working to make machines smaller and more efficient (industrial engineers/designers). For example, they developed fiber optics (thin glass cables to replace heavy metal ones for phones). These efforts contribute to a better, cleaner planet for all inhabitants. Wouldn't it be great to be an engineer making such an important difference in our lives?

Watch this activity on YouTube

Ask the students to describe some sources of renewable energy? (Answer: sun, wind, water) Can they list three specific ways that engineers are involved with renewable resources? (Possible answers: engineers study renewable resources to develop better ways to use these resources for energy generation; engineers design cars that run off renewable resources; engineers design generators that store the energy gathered from renewable resources; engineers develop wind farms to generate electricity for us to use; engineers develop hydropower plants to generate electricity for us to use; engineers are developing machines that are more efficient to reduce the amount of energy, renewable or non-renewable, that gets used; and engineers work to inform communities about what they can do to help conserve energy and use renewable resources.) Engineers work at developing new technologies that use renewable sources to contribute to greater health, happiness and safety of our Earth's inhabitants.

absorb: To be taken into a material without transmission or reflection.

active solar system: Solar power systems that use electrical or mechanical components, such as fans, pumps, and electrical controls in circulating fluids. These systems can be used for heating water or heating/cooling buildings.

anemometer: An instrument for measuring the velocity of wind.

convection: The transfer of thermal energy in a fluid (gas or liquid) by the circulation of currents in the heated fluid causing warmer packets to rise while cooler packets sink.

electromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic energy transmitted in the form of waves or particles (photons); the electromagnetic spectrum, in order of increasing energy: radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, gamma rays, cosmic-ray photons.

generator: A device that transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy.

heat exchanger: A device, such as an automobile radiator, that transfers heat from one liquid to another without allowing them to mix.

heat-transfer fluid: A fluid circulated in a heat exchanger; this fluid gains energy from one region and transfers it to another region.

hydraulic head: The difference in depth of a liquid at two given points; the pressure of the liquid at the lower point expressed in terms of this difference.

insulation: A material used to prevent the passage of heat, electricity, or sound (i.e., a non-conducting material).

passive solar system: Solar power systems that do not require electrical or mechanical components; these systems can be used for heating water or heating/cooling buildings.

penstock: A pipe or conduit used to carry water to a water wheel or turbine.

photovoltaic system: This is a system which converts solar energy into electricity.

reflect: This is when something such as sound waves or light waves bend back or return upon striking a surface.

regenerate: To re-grow or replace.

renewable energy: Energy that is made from sources that can be regenerated or reused is renewable.

rotor: The rotating part of an electrical or mechanical device is the rotor.

thermal mass: Materials that store thermal energy, such as water, concrete, brick, stone, adobe, tile, etc.

transmit: To allow the passage through a material.

turbine: A machine in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid is converted into mechanical energy by causing a series of buckets, paddles, or blades on a rotor to rotate.

Pre-lesson assessment

Brainstorming: Ask students to brainstorm ideas about where and when we use energy. (Possible answers: We use energy all the time. Humans use energy to be active – to walk, talk, play basketball, etc. We use energy to power our appliances, vehicles, lights, etc. Cells use energy to perform the most basic life functions. Life as we know it would not be possible without energy production and consumption.)

Post-introduction assessment

Guess the Amount!: Ask students the following questions and ask them to guess at the different percentages of energy use. Discuss and explain the answers.

• What percent of the energy the world uses today is derived from fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas)? (Answer: 80-85%. This means that only 15-20% of the energy we use is from renewable energy sources such as sun, wind and water.)
• The U.S. has less than 5% of the world's population. What percent of the world's energy do we use? (Answer: Around 17%. This means that the U.S. uses a lot more energy than other countries. Why do the students think that is? Discuss the amount of toys, appliances and other electric powered items in a single person's home.)
• What percent of the electricity consumed in the U.S. is used for light bulbs? (Answer: 5%. This means that we leave a lot of light bulbs on when unused. Can the students think of a time where they could save some electricity by turning off a light bulb?)

Discussion: Ask students the following questions. Discuss the answers.

• How do we know the energy is there? (Answer: We can see it, feel it, hear it, etc.)
• Ask students to describe where this energy comes from. (Answer: ultimately all of it comes from natural resources (renewable and non-renewable), but it is often moved (transferred) and changed (transformed) in the process. You may want to give an example here like coal being mined from the earth, sent to power plants where it is burned to produce steam. The steam turns a turbine and produces electricity that is sent to our houses via power lines, and used in our electrical items like a refrigerator. Or how solar energy is used by plants to create food so they can grow and then we, in turn, use the plants as food to provide energy for our bodies.)
• Ask students to describe where they get their energy. (Answer: from food) Ask them to describe what might happen if suddenly there was no more food. (Note: this is a stretch for some because generally food is considered a renewable resource and because the food supply often seems unlimited to people in the U.S.). What would they do? (Answer: Become hungry, eventually starve, engineer some new source of nutrients, etc.) How would they feel? (Answer: Hungry, sad, scared, motivated to find a way to survive, etc.)
• What if there was only a tiny bit of food? How would it get distributed? Who would decide? What are some other consequences? (Answer: equal world-wide distribution, war, the rich get it, others die, new source of nutrients discovered/engineered, etc.)

Lesson summary assessment

Future Timeline: Ask students to work in a group to imagine what today would be like if there were no electricity (permanently, not just a blackout situation). Ask them to develop a timeline describing what this typical day might be like. Ask them to really consider how they would feel and what they would do. Ask each group to present their timeline to the class.

Venn Diagram: Ask students to create a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast a form of renewable energy and a form of non-renewable energy. They should provide as many facts and details as they can.

Save a Watt: Ask students to engage in two energy saving activities before the next class period. Ask them to describe in detail the impact these actions had during the next class. You can have the students list the activities or write a paragraph and turn the assignment in.

Lesson Extension Activities

• Write and illustrate a children's story for 8-10 year olds about life in the year 2100. It should describe life without fossil fuels and should identify the energy sources used in everyday life as well as some type of conservation measures.
• Discuss what is happening with our world energy supply from fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources. (Examples: fossil fuels are being dangerously depleted, the rich countries receive a larger share of the energy and are more wasteful with it, wars are developing; e.g., the Gulf War, scientists and engineers are researching and developing renewable energy sources, etc.)
• Check out the awesome information and activities/games at Environmental Education for Kids (EEK) website from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at dnr.wi.gov
• Check out some of the activities at Watt Watchers: https://www.watt-watchers.com/student-activities/
• Check out some of the activities and games about energy online
• Play energy-themed games at NASA's Climate Kids website: https://climatekids.nasa.gov/menu/energy/
• Learn more about renewable energy at Alliant Energy's website: https://www.alliantenergykids.com/RenewableEnergy/RenewableEnergyHome
• Read, color, and solve puzzles in the "Saving Energy in My Home Coloring and Activity Book" at https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/consumer/saving-energy-home.pdf
• Try a Nuclear Chain Reaction activity at http://nuclearconnect.org/in-the-classroom/for-teachers/nuclear-chain-reaction-using-dominoes

Students explore the outermost planets of our solar system: Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. They also learn about characteristics of Pluto and its interactions with Neptune. Students learn a little about the history of space travel as well as the different technologies that engineers develop to make spa...

Students are introduced to the fabulous planet on which they live. They learn how engineers study human interactions with the Earth and design technologies and systems to monitor, use and care for our planet's resources wisely to preserve life on Earth.

Students are introduced to the International Space Station (ISS) with information about its structure, operation and key experiments.

Students learn the metric units engineers use to measure mass, distance (or length) and volume. They make estimations using these units and compare their guesses with actual values. To introduce the concepts, the teacher needs access to a meter stick, a one-liter bottle, a glass container that measu...

American Wind Association, www.awea.org

Boulder Community Network, Environmental Center, bcn.boulder.co.us/environment/

California Energy Commission, www.energyquest.ca.gov/

Energy Information Administration, Energy Kid's Page, www.eia.gov/kids/

Hewitt, Paul G. Conceptual Physics, Boston, MA: Addison Wesley Publishing Company, 2004.

Goswami, D. Yogi, Kreith, Frank, and Kreider, Jan F. Principles of Solar Engineering, Taylor & Francis Group, 2nd edition, 2000.

Graham, Ian, Taylor, Barbara, Fardon, John, Oxlad, Chris and Parker, Steve. Science Encyclopedia, Miles Kelly, 2000.

Milton Hydro, https://www.miltonhydro.com/Residential/Community/Power-Kids

National Renewable Energy Laboratory, www.nrel.gov

Snow, Theodore. The Dynamic Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy, Minnesota: West Publishing Company, 1988.

Steen, Anthena S., Steen, Bill, Bainbridge, David and Eisenberg. The Straw Bale House, Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing Company, 1994.

Texas State Energy Conservation Office, www.infinitepower.org/lessonplans.htm

U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov

U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, www.eere.energy.gov

Contributors

Supporting program, acknowledgements.

The contents of this digital library curriculum were developed under a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education and National Science Foundation GK-12 grant no. 0338326. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the Department of Education or National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

Last modified: January 19, 2024

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Difference Between Renewable And Non-Renewable Resources

The difference between Renewable and Non-Renewable resources is that the former can be replenished whereas the latter cannot. Renewable and Non-Renewable sources are the subtypes of Natural Resources. Natural resources are those that were formed in nature millions of years ago. Some resources of energy, for example, Sunlight existed even before the Earth was formed. Based on availability, natural resources are classified as renewable or non-renewable. Renewable sources can be renewed even after continuous utilization. Non-renewable cannot be renewed after continuous utilization.

Table of Content

Difference Between Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources 

What are renewable resources, what are non-renewable resources, faqs on renewable and non-renewable resources.

The following points highlight the difference between Renewable and Non-Renewable resources:

Renewable Resources are a type of Natural Resources that are capable of renewing themselves over a specific period of time which ma be weeks, months or years. It is better to use Renewable resources because they can be used repeatedly. These sources are environment friendly, clean and can be sustained for a long period of time. Some examples of renewable resources are:

• Solar Energy
• Wind Energy
• Geothermal Energy
• Tidal Energy

To help the future generations and to make our environment safe, it is safe to use renewable resources of energy more. These are also known as Non- Conventional Sources of Energy. To know more, please refer to the article ‘ Non-Conventional Sources of Energy ‘.

Non-Renewable resource is a type of natural resource that cannot be renegerated once utilised. Few examples of non-renewable resources are coal, oil, petroleum, natural gas, minerals such as iron and copper and nuclear fuel like uranium. Coal, oil, and petroleum are examples of Fossil fuels which are formed after carbonisation of dead plants and animal remains. These take millions of years to be formed and hence are categorised as non-renewable.

A lot of industries are dependent on these Non-renewable resources and hence, these have become an essential part of our daily lives. Most cars are driven by petrol, a lot of manufacturing industries use coal as their source of power. But the byproducts of their usage causes damage to the environment. Since renewable resources are expensive, not everyone can opt for them. Measures need to be taken by the government to protect the environment and to ensure that the future generations get their share of natural resources.

Also Read , Natural Resources – Definition, Types, and Examples Non-Conventional Energy Sources Conventional Energy Sources

1. Which Country uses the Most Non-renewable resources?

The highest consumption of Non-renewable sources occurs in China utilizing 159.39 exajoules as found in the year 2022. This is then followed by United States which show a high usage of coal and pethroleum.

2. What are Renewable resources?

All those resources which cant be exhaust even after continuous utilization such resources are known as renewable resources. Example-Solar Energy.

3. Why do we Mostly use Non-renewable Energy Sources?

Non- renewable energy sources are cheaper as compared to renewable sources. Solar energy and Wind energy are examples of Renewable sources of energy but the cost of a windmill or a solar panel is very high as compared to Non-renewable sources like coal and petroleum.

4. What is the Cleanest Non-renewable Resource?

Natural gas is the most cleanest non-renewable resource of energy.

5. What are the Disadvantages of Non-renewable Resources?

There are multiple disadvantages of Non-renewable resources are : They are in limited amount. They pollute the environment. The residual products are usually non-biodegradable.

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Difference between Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

Most natural resources, such as coal and petroleum, were formed millions of years ago. Other resources, such as sunlight, were present even before the earth was formed. Regardless, we all depend on these resources in some way or another. These resources are termed natural resources and are very important for life on earth. Natural resources are classified into renewable resources and non-renewable resources.

Table of Contents

Renewable Resources

Non-renewable resources, differences between renewable and non-renewable resources.

The resources which cannot be exhausted even after continuous utilisation are termed renewable resources. Examples of renewable resources are the sun, wind, and tidal energy.

The resources which cannot be immediately replaced once they are depleted are called non-renewable resources. Examples of non-renewable resources include fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum, natural gas and rare minerals typically found in meteorites.

Now, let us look at the major differences between renewable and non-renewable resources.

The following are the major differences between renewable and non-renewable resources.

Interestingly, some resources, such as uranium, is touted as a renewable resource. However, it is still a subject of debate as uranium is not exactly a renewable resource, according to many statutory definitions.

For more details about the different sources of renewable and non-renewable resources, register with BYJU’S.

Also Read: Resources on Earth

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