Content Writer-SME
Renewable and non-renewable resources are the two important sources of energy. The first point of difference between renewable and non-renewable resources is based on their utilization and restoration. All the materials available in our environment that help us to satisfy our basic needs are known as resources. Renewable and non-renewable source of energies are the two main classification of natural resources.
- Energy or resource that we get from nature is called renewable resources. They can be replenished again.
- Examples of renewable energy include solar energy, wind energy, biomass, hydropower etc.
- The resources which are present in limited amount and can not be used again are called non-renewable resources.
- Examples of non-renewable energy include coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, etc.
Renewable Resources
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Resources that do not run out of stock even after constant usage is known as renewable resources. In other words, a renewable resource is a type of commodity which has endless usage.
- Some resources like sun, wind, and water are considered renewable resources even though the electricity generation through renewable energy takes time and effort.
- The renewal process can relatively be as quick as sunshine that comes daily or can be as slow as the formation of soil which may take hundreds of years.
- Some examples of renewable resources are as follows- solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass energy, and so on.
Non-Renewable Resources
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These are the types of resources that cannot be restored or retrieved once they are eradicated. Non-renewable resources cannot be replaced once they are used up and this has become a global concern as we currently depend on these resources to meet most of our energy needs.
- These resources are also termed exhaustible resources.
- Coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc., mineral ores and groundwater are some examples of non-renewable resources.
Differences between Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources
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The differences between renewable and non-renewable resources based on depletion, resources, environmental impact, cost, infrastructure, area structure, and many more are mentioned below in the tabular form:
| Basis of Comparison | Renewable Resources | Non-Renewable Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Renewable resources are those types of resources that can be restored even after complete utilization. | These resources cannot be restored or retrieved once they are utilized. |
| Carbon Emissions | Renewable resources mostly have low carbon emissions and footprints. | Non-renewable resources comparatively have higher carbon emissions and footprints. |
| Electricity Generation | The generation of electricity through renewable source of energy is usually higher as compared to non-renewable source of energy. | Comparatively, non-renewable resources have a low cost. |
| Cost of Infrastructure | Infrastructure for the renewal process is very expensive and not easily retrieved in many countries. | Comparatively, non-renewable resources have cost-effective and accessible infrastructure across many countries. |
| Basic Requirements | For the renewal process, a large piece of land is required. | The lower area is required. |
| Economic Significance | The demand for renewable resource of energy is widely increasing. | Selling of non-renewable resource of energy such as coal, oil etc. in the international market earns a huge profit. |
| Examples | Examples of renewable resources are solar energy, hydro energy, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy. | Examples of non-renewable resources are fossil fuels, groundwater and mineral ores, and so on. |
Things To Remember
- The materials that are available in our environment to satisfy our needs and wants are termed as resources.
- Resources that are naturally available on the earth are called natural resources, for example- plants, water, air, land, and so on.
- Natural resources are of two types, namely- biotic (living), abiotic (non-living). Renewability is the key factor on which natural resources rely.
- Resources that can be restored easily and do not run out of stock even after constant usage, are known as renewable resources.
- Subsequently, the burning of non-renewable resources such as paper, plastic, and cigarettes by humans has a great harmful impact on the environment.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the solar panel? (2 marks)
Ans. The solar panel is the mechanism that is used in our day-to-day life especially in the villages for producing electricity from solar energy. The energy changes from solar energy to electrical energy and hence the people can perform various tasks from that electricity.
Ques. What are the drawbacks of using coal as the medium of energy in companies? (1 mark)
Ans. The drawbacks of using coal as the medium of energy are – It produces smoke when ignited, it is high in cost, and also it is a limited resource.
Ques. What is the benefit of using natural resources over regular electricity? (2 marks)
Ans. The benefits of using natural resources over regular electricity are that the regular electricity costs high whereas the natural energy comes directly from nature such as sun, wind and so on. So, a setup built up from low cost can give us high benefits.
Ques. Mention some disadvantages of Natural Energy? (2 marks)
Ans. Also, there are some disadvantages of Natural energy. For instance, if there is a cloudy day and the sun is covered with clouds than solar energy will do no good. Similarly, if the air is not moving fast then the Wind energy will also do no good.
Ques. What are resources? (2 marks)
Ans. The materials that are available in our environment to satisfy our needs and wants are termed as resources.Resources that are naturally available on the earth are called natural resources, for example- plants, water, air, land, and so on.
Ques. Name some mechanisms for converting natural energy into electricity? (1 mark)
Ans. Some mechanisms that convert Natural Energy into electrical energy are – Solar panels, windmills, Water dams, and so on.
Ques. How can we conserve water in our daily life? (1 mark)
Ans. Some ways can be implemented to save water in our daily life such as – Closing the tap after use, Harvesting the rainwater, Fixing the leakages, and so on.
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