Natural Resources Unit Study Guide

Most energy resources used by humans are nonrenewable. Which of the following is NOT a nonrenewable energy resource?

• coal
• natural gas
• oil
• wind

Which of the following types of energy is NOT renewable?

• water energy
• biodiesel
• natural gas
• wind energy

Geothermal energy is a type of energy that harnesses Earth's interior heat. It is obtained by digging deep wells and pumping heated underground water or steam to the surface. It is used worldwide to heat homes and businesses and to make electricity. Which statement supports the claim that geothermal energy is considered a renewable resource?

• Geothermal energy can be used continuously.
• Geothermal energy is not quickly replenishable.
• Geothermal energy is a naturally available resource.
• Geothermal energy cannot be used to create electricity.

A student reads about processes in Earth’s crust which transform plant remains into coal, a fossil fuel. The student concludes that coal should be classified as a renewable energy resource, like solar energy. Which statement best explains the student’s misconception?

• It is possible for more of a nonrenewable resource to form. The classification results from human consumption far outpacing the rate of new resource formation, as in the case of coal.
• It is possible for more of a nonrenewable resource to form. The classification results from permanent pollution being released by use of the resource, as in the case of coal.
• Resources are defined as nonrenewable when they are formed from matter, like coal, as opposed to being outcomes of processes, like sunlight and wind.
• Resources are defined as nonrenewable when they were formed millions of years ago, like coal, as opposed to being formed in the present, like sunlight and wind.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Rosa's neighborhood is only allowed to water their lawns on Tuesdays and Thursdays. What is the most likely explanation for why Rosa's neighborhood can only water their lawns two days a week?

• Water is a renewable resource that needs to be conserved.
• Water is a nonrenewable resource that needs to be conserved.
• Water erodes the soil, and soil is a renewable resource that needs to be conserved.
• Water corrodes the soil, and soil is a nonrenewable resource that needs to be conserved.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which of these is NOT a good way to protect natural resources?

• taking long showers
• carpooling to school
• using recycled paper
• turning down the heater

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which of the following best explains why conserving resources is important?

• There are a limited amount of resources on Earth, so conserving them will make them last longer.
• Humans need to learn how to make the resources faster, so conserving them gives them a chance to learn how.
• There are too many resources on Earth, so conserving them helps to create more space for humans to build cities.
• Humans require resources, so conserving them helps make sure they are replaced when they are used.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Atlanta often has smog warnings during the summer. The city cautions citizens against being outside too long when smog levels are high. How can the city of Atlanta reduce smog levels?

• by increasing the use of fossil fuels
• by decreasing the use of solar power
• by decreasing the number of individual cars and increasing the number of buses
• by increasing the number of individual cars and decreasing the number of buses

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Many human activities are powered by burning fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂, a greenhouse gas, into Earth's atmosphere. The graph shows a relationship between human emissions of CO₂ and atmospheric CO₂ concentrations during part of the last century.

The table lists the concentrations of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere and average surface temperatures on Earth at two times in the past century.

Which argument can BEST be made about the contribution of human activities to changes in global temperatures based on the data shown?

• Human activities are increasing the concentration of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere, which is decreasing global temperatures.
• Human activities are decreasing the concentration of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere, which is decreasing global temperatures.
• Human activities are increasing the concentration of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere, which is increasing global temperatures.
• Human activities are decreasing the concentration of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere, which is increasing global temperatures.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

The graph shows changes in carbon dioxide concentrations and surface temperatures on Earth from the years 1880 to 2000.

Why do carbon dioxide concentrations and surface temperatures show the relationship seen in the graph?

• because higher carbon dioxide levels mean less heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere
• because lower carbon dioxide levels mean less heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere
• because higher carbon dioxide levels mean more heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere
• because lower carbon dioxide levels mean more heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5