We get energy from natural resources. Fuels such as coal, oil and gas are burned in power stations and cars. They formed from plants and animals that died millions of years ago, so once we use them up they are gone: they are non-renewable. Burning them makes smoke and gases that pollute the air and warm the planet.
Renewable resources will not run out. Wind turns wind turbines. Moving water turns turbines in dams. Sunlight makes electricity in solar panels. These make much less pollution, but wind and sunlight are not always there. Using less energy, such as switching off lights and walking or cycling, helps save resources.
Worked example
Is wind a renewable or a non-renewable resource?
- Wind keeps blowing and will not run out.
- Using it does not use it up.
Answer:So wind is a renewable resource.
Key words
- fuel
- something burned to release energy
- renewable
- will not run out
- non-renewable
- will run out
- solar panel
- makes electricity from sunlight
New questions every time.
NGSS-referenced: 4-ESS3-1