Nonrenewable and Renewable

1. Why is coal considered to be a nonrenewable resource?

• The burning of coal could cause air pollution.

• Mining coal is very dangerous, so it isn’t done often.

• There is plenty of coal, but it is very expensive to mine from underground.

• Once coal is mined, it can take millions of years to be replaced.

2. Which group of resources are all renewable?

• soil, ocean tides, and coal

• plants, animals, and oxygen

• wind, natural gas, and sunlight

• water, oil, and iron

3. Resources can be classified as renewable and nonrenewable. Which of these resources is classified in the same category as water?

• iron

• aluminum

• sunlight

• oil

4. What is conservation?

• the ability to find and use nonrenewable resources

• the way that engineers design new processes

• the wise use of natural resources so they don’t run out

• the process where a gas turns into liquid

5. What would be the best way to conserve fossil fuels?

• Walk or take the bus to work.

• Drive a big car instead of walking because it is safer.

• Properly dispose of plastic water bottles in the trash.

• Only use items one time for the purpose they were created.

6. Reusing materials again or for a new purpose is good way to conserve natural resources. Which of the following is not an example of reusing?

• donating used clothing to a thrift store

• putting aluminum cans in a recycling bin

• saving plastic containers to store leftovers

• refilling your plastic water bottle

7. Resources can be classified as renewable and nonrenewable. Which of these resources is classified in the same category as cotton?

• petroleum

• wind

• coal

• natural gas

8. In April 2010, underwater cameras revealed that a pipe from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico was leaking oil and gas on the ocean floor. The oil company and the government of Louisiana worked to clean up the oil spill. Cleaning up the spill should promote which of the following?

• Animal populations to increase.

• More ocean water to be drinkable.

• Native species to become extinct.

• More ocean animals to be eaten.

9. Which of the following statements best explains why wood is considered a renewable resource and coal is not?

• Wood is used for building, but coal isn’t.

• Wood is easier to find than coal.

• Wood grows more quickly than coal forms.

• Wood burns quicker than coal.

10. Resources can be classified as renewable or nonrenewable. Which of these resources is classified in the same category as oil (petroleum)?

• water

• oxygen

• plants

• rocks