Natural ResourcesLesson 4 pp. 40- 45

Natural Resource

• Something in nature that is valuable to people

• Used to make food, energy, and raw materials for products

1) Biological Resources• A natural resource that IS or WAS living.

– Most important kind because used mainly for FOOD– EXAMPLES

• TREES– Produce oxygen, absorb pollution, maple syrup, cook, heat,

furniture, homes

• PLANTS (food)• ANIMALS (food)• SOIL (food)

– DEPEND on other natural resources• Ex: most plants & animals cannot live without air, sunshine,

and water

2) Mineral & Fuel Resources

• Mineral – natural resource found in rocks, (the solid material from which Earth is made)

• Any substance taken from Earth and used by people– 100 common – People use to make products

• Ex: use graphite to make pencils, fertilizers, cement, chemicals

EXAMPLES of minerals

• Fossil Fuels – a natural resource used to provide heat and other energy– EX: coal, natural gas, petroleum– USAGE

• Provide heat/energy– Cook, heat buildings, power machines

• Make products– Paint, aspirin, carpets, plastic products

RENEWABLE resource

• CAN be made again by nature or by people in a practical amount of time

• EXAMPLES– Fresh water (water cycle)– Soil (weathering)

NONRENEWABLE resources• One that takes too long to replace or cannot be

replaced at all

• SCARCE – limited– Example: if people use fresh water faster than water cycle

replaces it

• CONSERVATION – actions people can take to save natural resources– Example:

• planting new trees to replace ones cut down• Using less water to allow the water cycle to recover

• RECYCLING – process designed to recover or reuse materials instead of throwing them away– Ex: aluminum and steel cans, paper/newspapers, glass & plastic

containers

Review Questions

• Write & answer in notes (individually)

1) How do people use biological resources?

2) How do people use mineral and fossil fuel resources?

3) Why is it important to use natural resources wisely?

Answers

1) Trees provide wood for building, heating, and cooking. People use plants and animals for food.

2) Minerals can be used to make products; fossil fuels can be used to cook food, heat buildings, and power machines.

3) Some natural resources take a long time to replace or cannot be replaced at all.

Using Old Resources in New Ways

I) Sun (solar power)A) Heat

B) Provide hot water (bathe, clean)

C) Generate electricity

D) Its clean – little pollution

Using Old Resources in New Ways(continued)

II) Wind (clean)I) Gather winds

II) Send wind into turbines

III) Produces electricity

IV) Unreliable / Unavailable in some areas

Using Old Resources in New Ways(continued)

II) Tidal energy (from water - clean)I) Energy of water as it flows – high to low

tides

II) Disadvantage – dams can be built in only few places

III) Generates electricity