Earth’s Resources
What do we call a resource that can be replaced naturally in a short amount of time?
A renewable resource
What group of resources includes coal, oil, and natural gas?
Fossil fuels
What do we call a mineral that contains enough metal to be mined profitably?
An ore
Which Earth sphere includes all living things?
The biosphere
What method helps conserve resources by reprocessing paper, plastics, and glass?
Recycling
What type of resources include water, air, soil, and sunlight?
Natural resources
What were fossil fuels originally formed from?
Ancient plants and animals
What is the process of removing minerals from the Earth called?
Mining
What do we call the solid part of Earth containing rocks, minerals, and soil?
The geosphere (or lithosphere)
Turning off lights when not in use helps conserve what resource?
Electricity/energy
What do we call resources that cannot be replaced within a human lifetime?
Non-renewable resources
Which fossil fuel is most commonly burned to generate electricity?
Coal
Iron ore is used to make what common metal?
Iron or steel
Which sphere contains all the water on Earth?
The hydrosphere
What water-saving method reduces waste when watering gardens?
Drip irrigation or other water-efficient strategies
What natural resource covers most of Earth’s surface and is essential for life?
Water
What gas is released when fossil fuels are burned and contributes to climate change?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
What type of mine is a large hole dug into the ground, often used for coal or iron ore?
An open-cut mine
What is the layer of gases surrounding Earth called?
The atmosphere
What is the practice of using fewer resources before reusing or recycling called?
Reducing
What term describes how much of a resource is available compared to how much is needed?
Resource availability
What renewable energy source is often used as an alternative to fossil fuels because it uses moving air to generate electricity?
Wind energy / wind power
What is the name of the underground tunnels or shafts dug to access deep mineral deposits?
Underground mines (or shaft mines)
What do we call it when different Earth spheres affect and interact with one another, such as when plants absorb water from soil?
Sphere interactions
What broad environmental practice aims to protect resources and ecosystems for the future?
Sustainability