Energy Resources
Materials on earth that are available for our use
natural resources
A resource that won't run out or that can be replenished faster than it is used
renewable resource
Metals that are soft or shapeable are characterized as this.
malleable
All of earth's water found in lakes, oceans, streams, rivers, soil, underground, and in the air is referred to as this
hydrosphere
A resource that cannot be replaced easily and will eventually run out is called this.
nonrenewable resource
This is formed when the remains of plants and animals are buried quickly.
fossil fuels
Windmills use this or air movements to generate electrical energy, but can take up lots of land.
wind energy
This is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust.
aluminum
Water falls to the earth as what?
precipitation
Taking resources such as paper, aluminum, glass, and plastic, to a center to have it made into new products is know as this.
recycling
A solid substance found naturally in the earth's surface
mineral
This type of energy uses water power to produce electricity.
hydroelectric energy
A small plant-like organism that plays a key role in the carbon dioxide/oxygen cycle.
Phytoplankton
Water vapor in the air
Humidity
Turning the lights off when they are not being used is an example of this.
reducing resource use
A factory that separates crude oil into different products
refinery
Sunlight is used to power and heat
Solar Energy
A concentrated area of a specific mineral
vein
A layer of sand, gravel, or bedrock that holds and moves ground water.
aquifer
Finding a new purpose for something that you would otherwise throw in the trash is called this
reusing
This mineral is used to produce nuclear energy.
uranium
Heat from the earth that produces steam. There is no consumption of the heat source
geothermal energy
A method used by farmers in which they plow furrows horizontally around a hill instead of up and down it to help prevent erosion.
contour plowing
Evaporation from a plants leaves.
transpiration
A low-growing crop such as clover that prevents soil erosion when fields are lying fallow (resting)
ground cover