Ch. 4 Resources

Question 1

fossil fuel

Answer 1

nonrenewable energy resource that began to form millions of years ago from remains of once-living plants and animals (provides energy, and includes coal, oil, and natural gas)

Question 2

pollution

Answer 2

introduction of harmful waste products, chemicals, and substances into the environment

Question 3

acid rain

Answer 3

acidic rain or snow produced when gases released by burning oil and coal mix with water in the air (this can damage plants and trees)

Question 4

nonrenewable

Answer 4

resources, such as fossil fuels, that cannot be replaced by natural processes in less than 100 years

Question 5

renewable

Answer 5

energy resources, such as wind and water, that can be recycled or replaced by natural processes in less than 100 years

Question 6

solar energy

Answer 6

energy from the sun that is nonpolluting, renewable, and abundant but is available only when the sun is shining

Question 7

hydroelectric power

Answer 7

production of electricity by water

Question 8

geothermal energy

Answer 8

heat energy from Earth, which can be used to generate electricity

Question 9

nuclear energy

Answer 9

energy produced by splitting the nuclei of certain elements

Question 10

groundwater

Answer 10

water that oaks into the ground and collects in the small spaces between bits of rock and soil

Question 11

point source

Answer 11

single, identifiable pollution source

Question 12

non point source

Answer 12

pollution that comes from many different sources, such as industries, homes, and farms

Question 13

conservation

Answer 13

careful use of resources with the goal of reducing damage to the environment

Question 14

ore

Answer 14

mineral resource that can be mined at a profit