Defining Resources
This is something found in nature that humans use, and it can be living or nonliving.
Natural Resource
These energy sources form from the remains of ancient, once-living things
fossil fuels
Copper and iron are examples of these nonrenewable resources mined from beneath the Earth's surface
metals
This is the term for stored energy, such as the energy in batteries or a wound-up spring
potential energy
Many people argue that the use of fossil fuels is doing this to the environment
damaging it
Scientists classify natural resources into these two major groups.
renewable and nonrenewable.
This is the most plentiful fossil fuel and is often burned to generate electricity
coal
This specific metal is used as fuel for making electricity, but it is not burned
uranium
A car engine changes the chemical energy in gasoline into this
energy of motion
These three things are considered by researchers when exploring new energy sources
What are cost, effect on the environment, and whether it is renewable?
This type of resource cannot be replaced easily and may take millions of years to form.
nonrenewable resource
This thick, black liquid is also known as petroleum
crude oil
Instead of burning, uranium releases energy through this type of reaction
nuclear reaction
A microwave oven turns electrical energy into this form of energy
heat
To find oil, people must do this to rocks and then pump it to the surface
drill
These are three examples of nonliving natural resources.
air, water, and sunlight
This fossil fuel forms with oil and is often burned in homes for cooking or heating
natural gas
These are two places in your home where you might find metals
computers, cars, lamps, or kitchen appliances
Humans use the energy found in this to move their muscles
food
Before it was used for electricity, coal was used to power the steam engines of these two types of transportation
trains and steamboats
Building materials and sources of energy are examples of this specific resource group
nonrenewable resources
Oil is commonly turned into this to help car engines run
gasoline
These professionals are developing new technologies for finding and using energy resources
engineers
While we cannot make energy, we can do this to it
What is change it from one form to another
This type of power plant harnesses energy from uranium to generate fuel
nuclear power plant