chapter 2: how can we sustainably manage natural resources? 2 Flashcards
What is a natural resource?
Natural resources are useful materials found on earth produced by natural processes occurring in the physical environment.
Examples include water and solar energy.
How does solar energy work?
The sun emits about 400 trillion watts of solar energy every second, with an average of 1000 watts reaching the earth’s surface per square meter per hour during peak times.
A photovoltaic (PV) cell converts solar energy into electricity.
What is a photovoltaic (PV) cell?
A PV cell is a specially-treated wafer of silicon, sandwiched between 2 thin contact plates, that converts solar energy into electricity.
The process involves sunlight passing through silicon and an inverter.
How is electricity produced by solar panels measured?
The electricity produced is measured by a meter and then fed into the public electricity grid.
How are natural resources classified?
Natural resources can be classified into 2 categories: renewable and non-renewable.
What are renewable natural resources?
Renewable natural resources are materials that are replenished naturally within the same time period when they are used.
Availability is considered to be unlimited due to natural replenishment processes.
Give examples of renewable natural resources.
- Water
- Solar energy
Solar energy is captured by solar cells, which convert it into usable electricity.
What are non-renewable natural resources?
Non-renewable natural resources are materials that may or may not be replenished naturally, but if they are, the process occurs very slowly.
Their availability is considered limited.
Provide an example of a non-renewable natural resource.
Crude oil.
Crude oil takes millions of years to form, making its replenishment rate too slow.
What is the process of crude oil formation?
The remains of plants and animals sank to the ocean floor, were buried by sand and silt, and subjected to pressure and thermal energy over millions of years, converting them into crude oil.
What is petrol and how is it related to crude oil?
Petrol is one of the most common products obtained by refining crude oil, used to power motor engines in vehicles.
Fill in the blank: Renewable natural resources are replenished _______.
[naturally within the same time period]
True or False: The availability of renewable resources is limited.
False.
True or False: Crude oil can be used directly without refining.
False.
