Natural Resources

Natural Resources

Chapter 3: Section 4

MAIN IDEAS:1. Earth provides valuable resources for our use.

2. Energy resources provide fuel, heat, and electricity.

3. Mineral resources include metals, rocks, and salt.

4. Resources shape people’s lives and countries’ wealth.

Key Terms: NATURAL RESOURCE- any material in nature that people

use and value RENEWABLE RESOURCES- Resources that cen be

replaced naturally NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES- resources that cannot be

replaced DEFORESTATION- the loss of forestland REFORESTATION- planting trees to replace lost forestland FOSSIL FUELS- nonrenewable resources formed from the

remains of ancient plants and animals HYDROELECTRIC POWER- the production of electricity by

moving water

Earth’s Valuable Resources

Anything in nature that people use and value is a natural resource.

This includes: air, water, and soil. Resources such as trees are called

renewable resources because Earth replaces them naturally.

Those that cannot be replaced, such as oil, are called nonrenewable resources.

Question:Are air and water renewable or nonrenewable?

Earth’s Valuable Resources

(continued) Air and water are renewable resources, but pollution can damage both.

Earth’s Valuable Resources

Soil and trees are renewable, but must be protected.

The loss of forests is called deforestation. When we plant trees to replace lost forests,

we call it reforestation.

Question:What are some resources we can get from a forest?

Energy Resources Most of our energy comes

from fossil fuels, which are formed from the remains of ancient living things.

These include coal, oil, and natural gas.

We use coal mostly for electricity, but it causes air pollution.

An advantage of coal is that Earth still has a large supply.

Energy Resources (continued)

Another fossil fuel is petroleum, or oil.

It is used to make gasoline and heating oil.

Oil can be turned into plastics and other products.

Oil also causes pollution, but we depend on it for much of our energy.

Question:Where does gasoline come

from?

Energy Resources (continued)

The cleanest fossil fuel is natural gas, which is used mainly for cooking and heating.

Question:What is the

cleanest-burning fossil

fuel?

Energy Resources (continued)

Renewable energy resources include hydroelectric power- the creation of electricity by moving water.

This is accomplished mainly by building dams on rivers.

Other renewable energy sources:

Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear energy produces dangerous waste material that must be stored for thousands of years.

Wind Solar

Mineral Resources Minerals are solid substances in the Earth’s

crust formed from nonliving matter. Like fossil fuels, minerals are nonrenewable. Types of minerals include metals, rocks and

gemstones, and salt.

Resources and People Some places are rich in natural resources. Resources such as fertile farmland, forests,

and oil have helped the United States become a powerful country with a strong economy.

MAIN IDEAS:1. Earth provides valuable resources for our use.

2. Energy resources provide fuel, heat, and electricity.

3. Mineral resources include metals, rocks, and salt.

4. Resources shape people’s lives and countries’ wealth.