Resources

Question 1

What is a resource?

Answer 1

anything that can be used to satisfy human wants/needs

Question 2

What makes something a resource

Answer 2

the utility of a product/service

Question 3

Who adds value to resources and how?

Answer 3

humans add value to a resource, as they identify the use of the resource and transform it using the appropriate technology+skill. resources gain meaning and value only with reference to wants of people.

Question 4

What are the three types of resources?

Answer 4

natural, human-made and human resources

Question 5

What are natural resources?

Answer 5

resources derived from nature. eg. air, water, minerals, sunlight, soil etc.

Question 6

What are the categories of resources based on origin

Answer 6

biotic+abiotic

Question 7

Define abiotic+biotic resources with examples.

Answer 7

biotic resources include all living organisms on earth (flora and fauna). this also includes humans.
abiotic resources are non living substances used by human beings such as soil, air and sunlight.

Question 8

What are actual resources? Give examples.

Answer 8

The resources which have already been developed and are presently being used are called actual/developed resources. Quality and quantity of these is known to us. Eg. gold and diamond deposits in south africa, the rich black soils of the deccan plateau and iron ore/coal deposits in Jharkhand.

Question 9

What are potential resources? Give an example.

Answer 9

Potential resources are the resources that could be of use in the future due to breakthroughs in technology or changing circumstances. Eg. Biofuel made from living matter (crops of sugarcane+rapeseed) was thought to be too expensive (it was a potential resource) but now it is an actual resource because of soaring petroluem prices. High speed wind, solar energy, etc. (wind farms in tamil nadu+gujarat)

Question 10

What are renewable resources? Give examples

Answer 10

Resources that get replenished quickly are called renewable resources. eg. soil, water, wildlife, forests.

Question 11

All renewable resources replenish themselves. True or False?

Answer 11

False. Some resources replenish themselves (wildlife+forests) and some can be replenished with the help of physical, chemical and mechanical processes.

Question 12

The supply of renewable resources will never be affected. True or False?

Answer 12

False. Over exploitation and unscientific use of renewable resources like water, soil and forests can affect the supply. Drying up of rivers, land degradation and deforestation are major issues.

Question 13

What are non-renewable resources? Give examples.

Answer 13

The resources which cannot be replenished or renewed are called non renewable resources. Eg. metallic minerals.

Question 14

Is coal a non renewable resource? Give reason.

Answer 14

Resources like coal take thousand of years to get replenished naturally, which is several times more than a human life. If used carelessly, it could run out. Therefore, coal is a non renewable resource.

Question 15

Can all non renewable resources be recycled?

Answer 15

Some non renewable resources like metals are recyclable but fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas) cannot be recycled.

Question 16

What are ubiquitous resources?

Answer 16

Resources which are found everywhere are called ubiquitous resources. Eg. Air.

Question 17

What are localised resources?

Answer 17

The resources which are unequally distributed accross the world and are only concentrated in certain regions are called localised resources. Eg. copper, iron ore, gold, diamonds etc.

Question 18

Most human needs are met by nature. Elaborate.

Answer 18

For food, humans depend on soil.
For clothing, we depend on fibre from plants/animals.
For shelter, we depend on nature for bricks, mortar, iron, timber etc.
For industrial needs, we depend on various mineral resources.

Question 19

Why is it necessary to use resources carefully?

Answer 19

This is necessary since resources form our life-support system. Indiscriminate use will lead to depletion of resources and later generations will suffer from a shortage of resources.

Question 20

What is sustainable development?

Answer 20

The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs is called sustainable development.

Question 21

What is the conservation of resources?

Answer 21

Careful utilisation of resources with future needs in mind and preventing the depletion of resources by giving it time to regenerate is called conservation of resources.

Question 22

What are the four R’s? Explain.

Answer 22

Reduce - Consume less and do not waste.
Reuse - Use products/resources as many times as you can
Recycle - Avoid wastage and change products into other usable materials
Refuse - If you dont need a thing, refuse it.

Question 23

Mention few ways in which we can conserve resources.

Answer 23

by making shopping bags using newspapers
closing taps when not in use ; using a bucket to bather instead of the shower
by planting saplings on birthdays/special occasions
switiching off lights and fans when not needed at home and school