Resources and Economic Development Geography

Biomass: Organic material that has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy. Is a (a)   energy source, biomass fuels include wood, manure, and other agricultural products.

• renewable
• nonrenewable

• Coal: A fossil fuel formed by the breakdown of decomposed plant material trapped underground without access to air and exposed to moisture. Coal is a ​ (a)   energy source.

• nonrenewable
• renewable

geothermal power: Power that is generated from heat and steam energy produced by natural processes inside the Earth. This can include hot springs, or reservoirs of hot water deep below the ground. This energy source is technically ​ (a)   because the steam can possibly become exhausted.

• nonrenewable
• renewable

hydropower: The energy of moving water harnessed by a hydroelectric power plant. A turbine generator that produces the electricity is powered by the force of water. Though a ​ (a)   resource, water can become ​ (b)   if utilized faster than the atmosphere's ability to naturally replenish it.

• renewable
• nonrenewable

natural gas: A fossil fuel that is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and relatively cleaner than other fossil fuels. It is a ​ (a)   resource.

• nonrenewable
• renewable

nuclear power: Energy derived from the process of nuclear fission, whereby atoms in the nucleus are broken apart. Because the process of nuclear fission begins with the mining of uranium, nuclear power is a ​ (a)   energy source.

• nonrenewable
• renewable

petroleum (oil): A thick and usually dark-colored liquid found deep below the earth. It is composed mainly of complex combinations of hydrogen and carbon called hydrocarbons, along with sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen. This ​ (a)   fuel is the most commonly used fossil fuel in the world.

• nonrenewable
• renewable

solar power: Radiation from the sun that can be converted into energy forms such as heat and electricity. This is a ​ (a)   resource.

• renewable
• nonrenewable

wind power: The conversion of atmospheric winds into energy sources such as electricity and heat. This is a ​ (a)   resource.

• renewable
• nonrenewable