Natural Resources Flashcards
any natural material that is used by humans, such as water, petroleum, minerals, forests, and animals.
Natural resourse
a natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate which the resource is consumed.
Renewable resource
a resource that forms at a rate that is much slower than the rate at which it is consumed.
Nonrenewable resource
a nonrenewable energy resource formed from the remains of organisms that lived long ago; examples include oil, coal, and natural gas.
Fossil fuel
a reaction where the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, while releasing energy.
Nuclear fission
the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a single heavier one while releasing massive amounts of energy.
Nuclear fusion
the use hydrogen gas to power an electric motor.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle
the energy received by the Earth from the sun in the form of radiation.
Solar energy
kinetic energy produced by the movement of air, able to be converted to mechanical power.
Wind energy
electrical energy produced by falling water.
Hydroelectric energy
organic matter that can be a resource of energy.
Biomass
a colorless volatile flammable liquid which is produced by the natural fermentation of sugars; alcohol.
Ethanol
the energy produced by heat within the Earth.
Geothermal Energy
a liquid mixture of complex hydrocarbon compounds; used widely as a fuel source
Petroleum
a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons located under the surface of the Earth, often near petroleum deposits; used as fuel.
Natural gas
