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Home > Articles > Difference Between Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources: Definitions, Examples, Fun Facts, Key Differences, and Sample Questions
Updated on 09th March, 2023 , 6 min read
The vast majority of natural resources, such as coal and petroleum, were created millions of years ago. Other resources, such as sunshine, existed before the world formed. Regardless, we are all dependent on these resources in some manner. Natural resources are classified into two types- renewable resources and non-renewable resources. Humans rely on both of these resources.
All of the components in our environment that are utilized by living beings are referred to as resources. Resources are highly useful raw resources found in the environment. These are known as naturally occurring materials. They are advantageous to everyone in a number of ways.
To exist in our world, humans require many valuable items found in nature. These are known as natural resources. Some examples are air, water, wood, animals, and minerals. A man-made resource is created when humans employ natural resources to create something new that boosts its worth.
Renewable resources are defined as those that cannot be depleted even after continual use. These are natural resources that do not decline or exhaust despite continual usage. These are renewed or replaced by natural processes during a certain time period. Consider sunshine and wind.
Non-renewable resources are those that cannot be replenished quickly when they are depleted. Nonrenewable resources include fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, natural gas, and rare minerals found in meteorites. These are natural resources that are depleted or exhausted as a result of continual human usage and are not renewed or replaced. Mineral ores, fossil fuels, groundwater, and so forth.
The following are some of the examples of renewable resources-
Biogas is a type of fuel that consists of a mixture of gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and other gases created by the breakdown of animal and plant wastes such as animal dung in the presence of water using microorganisms. It is frequently used as a fuel for gas burners, especially in rural areas.
Hydro energy may be converted into electrical energy in a straightforward method. Electrical energy is a type of energy that is produced as a result of an electric charge. Electrical energy is a type of energy that is produced as a result of an electric charge.
As the layer in which plants develop, the soil is an important resource. Food is required for all living things to survive. Plants generate the majority of the food required by living beings.
Solar energy is the energy obtained from sunshine. The sun is the most important natural resource for all living things on the planet. Plants use solar energy to produce their own sustenance via photosynthesis.
Water is essential for existence. Water is used by humans for a multitude of purposes, including drinking, washing, cooking, and agricultural cultivation. Water flowing into a river or water retained in a dam generates hydroelectricity. Hydro energy is energy created by flowing water, such as rivers.
It is an essential renewable resource for the existence of living beings. Air is required for photosynthesis (the process through which green plants convert carbon dioxide and water into food using solar energy) and respiration (the inhalation of oxygen and exhalation of carbon dioxide) in plants and mammals, respectively. Wind energy is the energy that is collected from the wind.
The following are some examples of nonrenewable resources-
They are non-renewable sources of energy. This implies they will eventually be completed, which is why energy prices are rising. Coal, natural gas, and petroleum are examples of fossil fuels.
It is a fuel that is used to create power, as well as in manufacturing and steam engines.
It is often known as compressed natural gas, is a great alternative to gasoline and diesel. It burns fast and produces a lot of heat. It's a great source of hydrogen.
This energy source makes use of naturally occurring radioactive material. Uranium is principally utilized in the production of nuclear reactor fuel rods. When neutrons (neutral particles found in the atom) collide with the fuel rods, heat is produced. This turns water into steam, which is then used to power turbines. As a result, it produces power.
They can also be referred to as mineral oil or crude oil. This liquid mineral is used to make gasoline, diesel, cooking gas, and kerosene. It can be found deep underground.
The following table gives detailed information about renewable and nonrenewable resources-
Parameters |
Renewable Resources |
Nonrenewable Resources |
Examples |
Light, wind, water, greenery, and so forth. |
Mineral ores, as well as fossil fuels like coal and petroleum. |
Area |
Wind farms, for example, need a large amount of land. |
In comparison, it requires lesser space. |
Depletion or exhaustion |
With constant use, there is no depletion. |
Continuous usage depletes these. |
Upfront Cost |
The initial investment is substantial. |
The initial investment is modest. |
Infrastructure |
Infrastructure costs a lot of money to harvest renewable energy. |
The cost of infrastructure for harvesting nonrenewable resources is minimal and cost-effective. |
Impact on the environment |
These produce less carbon and so have a small carbon impact. |
These emit a higher proportion of carbon and hence have a larger carbon footprint. |
Resources are the materials that are accessible in our surroundings to meet our requirements and desires. Natural resources are resources that are naturally accessible in the world, such as plants, water, air, and land.
Solar panels, windmills, and water dams are examples of devices that transform natural energy into electrical energy.
Some simple strategies to preserve water in our daily lives include closing the tap after use, collecting rainwater, repairing leaks, and so on.
A solar panel is a system utilized in our daily lives, particularly in villages, to generate power from solar energy. The energy transforms from solar energy to electrical energy, allowing individuals to conduct a variety of tasks using that power.
The advantages of using natural resources over normal power are that regular electricity is expensive, but natural energy is derived directly from nature, such as the sun, wind, and so on. As a result, a low-cost arrangement can provide us with significant benefits.
Natural energy has its drawbacks as well. For example, if it is a foggy day and the sun is obscured by clouds, solar energy will be useless. Similarly, if the air is not flowing quickly, Wind energy will be ineffective.
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By - Nikita Parmar 2024-09-06 10:59:22 , 6 min readAns. Nuclear electricity is not renewable, but it is zero-carbon(1), which means it emits little or no CO2. Nuclear energy has a strong foundation, thus it is not weather dependent, and it will considerably contribute to Britain’s net zero status.
Ans. A renewable resource is one that may be used again and does not deplete since it is regenerated organically. Air, sunlight, and water are examples of renewable resources.
Ans. A windmill is a structure with sails or blades that transforms wind energy into rotational energy. It generates electricity using renewable resources, such as wind power. Windmills are classified into two types: horizontal windmills and vertical windmills.
Ans. Renewable energy, sometimes known as clean energy, is produced from naturally replenished sources or processes. For example, solar energy is derived from the sun, but hydro energy is derived from water.
Ans. The disadvantages of utilizing coal as an energy medium are that it creates smoke when burnt, it is expensive, and it is a finite supply.