Energy Vocabulary

Energy from the heat of the Earth.

• nuclear energy

• geothermal energy

• biomass energy

Rainfall made acidic by atmospheric pollution that causes environmental harm

• acid rain

• base rain

• heavy rain

Energy from wind by using windmills.

• solar energy

• breeze energy

• wind energy

The continuous process by which water circulated throughout the Earth and the atmosphere through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and the transpiration of plants and animals.

• rain cycle

• water cycle

All plants in a particular area or habitat.

• shrubs

• vegetation

The thin, rich layer of soil where most nutrients for plants are found.

• vegetation

• topsoil

A natural resource that cannot be readily replaced by natural means on a level equal to its consumption.

• renewable resource

• nonrenewable resource

A natural resource which can be replenished to overcome usage and consumption, either through biological reproduction or other naturally recurring process.

• renewable resource

• nonrenewable resource

Conservation of natural resources by reprocessing the resource so it can be used again as other items.

• reuse

• recycle

Conservation of natural resource by cutting down on the amount used.

• reduce

• recycle