Deonte’s family sees a solar panel display and considers using solar power for their home. Deonte knows that solar energy is a natural energy resource.

How do the two main kinds of natural resources compare?

• Renewable resources cannot be replaced, while nonrenewable resources can be replaced.

• Renewable resources are unlimited, while nonrenewable resources are limited.

• Both renewable and nonrenewable resources are sustainable.

• Renewable resources are man-made, while nonrenewable resources are naturally occurring.

Deonte’s family sees a solar panel display and considers using solar power for their home. Deonte knows that solar energy is a natural energy resource.

His family currently uses city electricity, and their power comes from a coal burning power plant. What problems come from using fossil fuels? Choose the two that apply.

• burns very hot

• nonrenewable

• contributes to greenhouse effect

• expensive

Janice lives in an area of Texas that has a large amount of limestone. When she hikes she often finds small fossils. She knows her city uses petroleum to fuel their power and that there are oil reserves nearby. Fossil fuel reserves indicate that at one time, there was a large​ (a)   that covered that area.

• ocean
• desert
• mountain range
• forest

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Mia’s family added a sunroom onto their house several years ago, which reduced their electric bill. They were pleased with the difference. Then they decided to add three solar panels to reduce costs further. Passive solar heat depends on sunlight passing through​​ (a)   . Active solar power comes as a result of a​​ (b)   that converts the energy.

• glass
• solar cell
• wood, wind turbine
• plastic, battery
• metal, generator

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-3

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

Today people use fossil fuels along with alternative energy sources. This is because as populations grow, the higher demand for energy uses up nonrenewable resources. Reducing the use of fossil fuels would have a positive impact on the environment.

Read each of the phrases that describe characteristics of fossil fuels and alternative energy sources. Drag each phrase into the correct box.

Groups:

(a) Fossil Fuels

,

(b) Alternative Energy Sources

• high carbon dioxide levels

• costs less to access

• nonrenewable

• renewable

• less polluting

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Today people use fossil fuels along with alternative energy sources. This is because as populations grow, the higher demand for energy uses up nonrenewable resources. Reducing the use of fossil fuels would have a positive impact on the environment.

However, even with advances in technology, alternative energy sources still have some limitations. What limitations affect many forms of alternative energy sources? Choose the three that apply.

• cannot be used everywhere

• cannot generate energy in large enough amounts

• can be costly to set up initially

• 
  are difficult to use

• affect habitats

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

Javier’s class visited a power plant near his city, and they learned how it produced electricity. What does this form of power depend on for generating electricity?

• movement of turbines spun by moving air

• converting the energy from the sun

• movement of large amounts of water downhill

• evaporation of large volumes of water

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Matt examined a map showing the mineral resources of the United States. He saw there was a great concentration of different minerals in the western area of the country. Explain three ways that minerals form and why they are so concentrated on the west coast.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Stuart visited Yellowstone National Park. He saw Mammoth Springs, an unusual formation made of limestone. How does evaporation contribute to mineral formation?

• Elements and compounds crystallize in the open air to form minerals.

• Elements and compounds flow through cracks in rocks, then evaporate, leaving behind crystals.

• The materials begin as crystals, and after evaporation, the minerals are left in their natural form.

• The materials begin as a solution and the liquid evaporates, leaving behind elements and compounds.

Selena doesn't understand why a lack of water is a problem in some countries. She knows the water cycle takes place all over the world.

What is the reason why some places lack fresh water while others have plenty of fresh water?

• Water sources are not available to some people because they live in a region where the water cycle is not active.

• Some freshwater sources are not available because they are trapped in underground aquifers.

• Water sources are unequally distributed, and much of the freshwater is tied up as ice in glaciers and ice caps.

• Some places lack fresh water due to improper damming of natural waterways.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1