Finite and Renewable resources

Name all 3 fossil fuels

• Coal

• Crude oil

• Natural gas

What does Finite mean?

• Cannot replace them as quickly / at the same rate that they are used

Uses of Earth’s natural resources:

• To live and provide us with energy

  • Eg. wool makes clothes, wood is used for construction

  • Natural resources can be finite (non-renewable) and they can also be renewable

What is a renewable resource? Give an example

• A resource that can be replaced at the same rate at which they are used up

  • eg. biofuels (made from plants)

Give 3 examples where natural resources have been used to make new products

• metal ores used to extract metals

• crude oil to make petrol

• Limestone (CaCo3) to make cement and concrete

What is meant by sustainability?

• Developments that meet the needs of society now, without endangering the ability of the future generations to meet their needs

`Why should we use renewable resources?

• to improve sustainability and to conserve finite resources

  • Eg. Ethene made from crude oil can make poly(ethene) plastic bags, but ethanol made from sugar cane can make the production of poly(ethene) more sustainable