ESS.8.4.4: Resource Conservation

It is estimated that at current rates of use, the world will run out of mineable oil within the next  40-70 years. What do you think will happen to the price of oil as oil reserves begin to be used up?

• Oil prices will go down. When oil is less available, people won’t want it as much.

• Oil prices will go up. When there is less oil, they can charge more for it.

• Oil prices won’t change. Availability doesn’t affect price.

• We won’t know how prices will change until it actually happens

Answer explanation

As oil reserves decrease, scarcity increases, leading to higher prices. Suppliers can charge more when oil is less available, making the correct choice that oil prices will go up.

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In some areas foresters plant one tree for every tree they cut down.  This activity is an example of:

• lack of management of nonrenewable resources

• a good conservation practice for renewable resources

• a good conservation practice for nonrenewable resources

• lack of concern for renewable resources

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Answer explanation

Planting one tree for every tree cut down is a sustainable practice that helps maintain forest resources, making it a good conservation practice for renewable resources.

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Humans obtain energy in a number of different ways. About half of the electrical energy in the U.S. is generated by burning coal, largely because coal is very inexpensive. But some electrical energy is generated by capturing sunlight with solar panels. Which of these is a reason why many people want to use more solar panels and less coal?

• Coal is more abundant than sunlight.

• Coal is a renewable resource, while sunlight is a nonrenewable resource.

• Burning coal tends to harm the environment more than using solar panels

• Coal energy is cleaner than solar energy.

Answer explanation

Burning coal releases pollutants that harm the environment, while solar panels generate clean energy without emissions. This environmental impact is a key reason many advocate for increased use of solar energy over coal.

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One likely reason some experimental automobiles have been developed to use electricity rather than gasoline is that:

• Gasoline is made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource

• Earth has an unlimited supply of fossil fuels

• The use of electricity will eliminate the need for all anti-pollution laws

• The use of electricity will increase the manufacturing of devices that will cause cars to pollute less

Answer explanation

Gasoline is derived from petroleum, which is a nonrenewable resource. This makes electric vehicles appealing as they can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote sustainability.

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In order to reduce the consumption of nonrenewable resources, humans could:

• Burn coal to heat houses instead of oil

• Heat household water using solar radiation

• Increase industrialization

• Use a natural gas grill to bbq instead of a coal one

Answer explanation

Heating household water using solar radiation is a renewable method, reducing reliance on nonrenewable resources. The other options either use nonrenewable resources or do not promote sustainability.

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Which practice would would most likely deplete a nonrenewable resource?

• harvesting trees on a farm

• burning coal to generate electricity in a power plant

• restricting water usage during a time of a water shortage

• building a dam and power plant to use water to generate electricity

Answer explanation

Burning coal to generate electricity depletes a nonrenewable resource, as coal is a fossil fuel that cannot be replenished within a human timescale, unlike trees or water, which can regenerate.

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What will most likely happen if the human population continues to grow at current rates?

• There will be fewer natural resources available for future generations

• There will be an increase in nitrogen levels in the atmosphere

• There will be a decrease in water pollution

• There will be an decrease in the number of strong hurricanes

Answer explanation

As the human population grows, the demand for resources like water, food, and energy increases, leading to depletion of natural resources. This makes it likely that future generations will face shortages.

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Why is it important to limit the use of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas?

• Fossil fuels are an unlimited resource on the Earth

• Fossil fuels can be renewed naturally in a matter of a few years

• Fossil fuels take thousands of years to replenish

• Fossil fuels can easily be recreated in a lab

Answer explanation

Fossil fuels take thousands of years to replenish, making them a finite resource. Limiting their use is crucial to prevent depletion and mitigate environmental impacts, unlike renewable energy sources that can be replenished more quickly.

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Which is a major advantage of using energy sources such as sunlight, wind and running water instead of fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas?

• Sunlight, wind and running water are much more efficient than fossil fuels.

• Sunlight, wind and running water are renewable and available indefinitely.

• Sunlight, wind and running water are much less expensive to use than fossil fuels.

• Sunlight, wind and running water can be used at any geographical location.

Answer explanation

The major advantage of sunlight, wind, and running water is that they are renewable and available indefinitely, unlike fossil fuels which are finite and contribute to environmental issues.

Coal and nuclear power provide the majority of global energy production.  How does conserving electricity pertain to the sustainability of nonrenewable resources?

• By conserving electricity, more renewable resources are used which makes nonrenewble resources less sustainable over time

• By conserving electricity, fewer nonrenewable resources are used which makes renewable resources sustainable for a longer period of time

• By conserving electricity, fewer renewable resources are used which makes renewable resources sustainable for a longer period of time

• By conserving electricity, fewer nonrenewable resources are used which makes nonrenewable resources sustainable for a longer period of time

Answer explanation

By conserving electricity, we reduce the demand for nonrenewable resources like coal and nuclear power. This helps extend the availability of these resources, making them more sustainable over time.

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