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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a natural source of air pollution?
Which of the following is a natural source of air pollution?
What percentage of Earth's surface is covered by water?
What percentage of Earth's surface is covered by water?
What property of liquid water helps to protect aquatic organisms from temperature changes?
What property of liquid water helps to protect aquatic organisms from temperature changes?
From what primary source do humans and other organisms obtain energy?
From what primary source do humans and other organisms obtain energy?
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What is biomass in the context of ecosystems?
What is biomass in the context of ecosystems?
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What is a benefit of using biodiesel over traditional gasoline?
What is a benefit of using biodiesel over traditional gasoline?
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What is the main advantage of ethanol as a fuel?
What is the main advantage of ethanol as a fuel?
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What role do oceans play on Earth?
What role do oceans play on Earth?
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Which of the following best defines a renewable resource?
Which of the following best defines a renewable resource?
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What is the primary characteristic of non-renewable resources?
What is the primary characteristic of non-renewable resources?
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What effect does erosion have on topsoil?
What effect does erosion have on topsoil?
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Desertification primarily occurs due to what factor?
Desertification primarily occurs due to what factor?
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Which of the following resources is considered non-renewable?
Which of the following resources is considered non-renewable?
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How can desertification be prevented?
How can desertification be prevented?
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Which statement about land resources is accurate?
Which statement about land resources is accurate?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of renewable resources?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of renewable resources?
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Study Notes
Natural Resources
- Natural resources are provided by Earth, including organisms, nutrients, rocks, water, and minerals
- They come from soil, air, water, or Earth's crust
Renewable Resources
- A renewable resource can be replaced quickly by nature
- Examples include fresh air, fresh surface water (lakes, rivers, streams), most groundwater, and fertile soil (if used properly)
- Sunlight is a renewable resource, expected to be available for at least 5 billion years
Non-Renewable Resources
- Non-renewable resources exist in a fixed amount in Earth's crust
- They are replaced only by geological, physical, and chemical processes over millions of years
- Examples include fossil fuels (crude oil, coal, natural methane), diamonds, other gemstones, gold, copper, and silver
Land
- Land provides living space for humans and other organisms, as well as space for growing crops, forests, grasslands, and wilderness areas
- Topsoil can be lost through erosion (wind or water)
- Plowing and lack of plant cover increase topsoil loss
- Topsoil loss makes soil less fertile and less able to hold water, impacting crop production
Desertification
- Desertification is the process of productive land becoming desert
- It occurs in hot, dry climates due to topsoil loss
- Factors include grazing animals in arid lands, and cutting down trees/shrubs for fuel
- Prevention includes reducing overgrazing and planting vegetation to anchor soil and retain water
Air
- A pollutant is a substance that negatively impacts living things or their activities by entering geochemical cycles
- Air pollution can be from natural or human sources, impacting both outdoor and indoor air quality
- Natural air pollutants include volcanoes (sulfur, causing acid rain and smog), fires, and radon
Water
- About 71% of Earth's surface is water
- Oceans regulate climate, provide habitats, and dilute pollutants
- Freshwater is important for agriculture, transportation, recreation, and numerous human activities
- Liquid water stores thermal energy without significant temperature increase, protecting aquatic life and regulating Earth's climate
Energy
- Human and organism energy mostly comes from the sun
- Fuels are materials used to produce energy
- Biomass is the total living matter in an ecosystem
- Biomass fuels come from living things, are renewable
- Ethanol is a liquid produced by fermenting crops, mixed with gasoline to reduce fossil fuel consumption
- It burns more cleanly than pure gasoline
- Biodiesel can be made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled greases
- It's safe, biodegradable, and reduces air pollution
Fossil Fuels
- Fossil fuels are energy sources formed from compressed and incompletely decomposed plants and other organic matter (over millions of years)
- Examples include crude oil, coal, and natural methane
- Fossil fuels are non-renewable because formation takes a very long time and we use them faster than they are made
Alternative Energy
- The sun is the source of most Earth's energy
- Solar energy is free and does not pollute
- Hydroelectric power converts falling water's energy to electricity
- Nuclear fission involves a large nucleus splitting into smaller ones, releasing a large amount of energy
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Description
This quiz explores the various types of natural resources found on Earth, dividing them into renewable and non-renewable categories. It examines their characteristics, examples, and their importance for ecosystems and human life. Test your understanding of how these resources interact with our environment.
