Natural Resources
Everything we use in our daily lives comes from natural resources, which are materials found in nature that humans use to make things.
Natural resources are divided into renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Renewable resources, like sunlight, wind, and water, can be replenished. Nonrenewable resources, like coal, oil, and minerals, take millions of years to form and can run out.
Imagine a wooden table. Its wood comes from trees, a renewable resource since we can plant more. But what about the metal in its nails? That comes from minerals found underground, which often take millions of years to form.
Fossil fuels, like coal and oil, are powerful energy sources but are nonrenewable. Burning them provides electricity and fuels cars but also releases pollution.
Overusing natural resources can lead to problems like deforestation, pollution, and shortages. If we cut down too many trees without replanting, we lose forests that provide oxygen and homes for animals.
That’s why conservation is essential. By recycling materials, saving water, and using renewable energy, we can protect these resources for the future.
Natural Resources
Natural resources are materials found in nature that humans use for energy, manufacturing, and daily life. These resources can be classified into renewable (such as sunlight, water, and forests) and nonrenewable (such as coal, oil, and minerals). The availability and use of natural resources impact technology, the environment, and economies worldwide.
Importance of Natural Resources
- Essential for Survival – Water, air, and soil support life, agriculture, and ecosystems.
- Used in Energy and Industry – Natural resources provide fuel, building materials, and raw materials for manufacturing.
- Environmental Impact – Overuse or mismanagement of natural resources can lead to pollution, deforestation, and resource depletion.
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
By gathering and evaluating information, you can explore how natural resources are used, managed, and conserved. Analyzing data from multiple sources helps understand the impact of natural resource use and sustainability efforts.
Activity Ideas:
- Researching Local Natural Resources – Investigate the natural resources available in your region (such as forests, water sources, or minerals). Discuss how they are used and why some are more valuable than others.
- Comparing Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources – Create a list of renewable and nonrenewable resources and discuss how their availability affects how people use them.
Through these activities, you will explore how natural resources support human life, understand their role in industry and energy, and recognize the importance of sustainable resource management.
Crosscutting Concept (CCC): Structure and Function
Structures can be designed to serve particular functions by taking into account the properties of different materials. The way natural resources are formed and what they are made of determines how people use them in daily life.
- Structure: Wood is strong and can be cut into different shapes
Function: Used for building homes, furniture, and tools - Structure: Oil and coal contain stored chemical energy
Function: Burned to produce heat and electricity - Structure: Metals like copper and aluminum conduct electricity
Function: Used in wires, electronics, and machinery
By understanding how the structure of natural resources affects what they are used for, you can explore how people manage them and make decisions about using them wisely and sustainably.
Everything we use in our daily lives comes from natural resources, which are materials found in nature that humans use to make things.
Natural resources are divided into renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Renewable resources, like sunlight, wind, and water, can be replenished. Nonrenewable resources, like coal, oil, and minerals, take millions of years to form and can run out.
Imagine a wooden table. Its wood comes from trees, a renewable resource since we can plant more. But what about the metal in its nails? That comes from minerals found underground, which often take millions of years to form.
Fossil fuels, like coal and oil, are powerful energy sources but are nonrenewable. Burning them provides electricity and fuels cars but also releases pollution.
Overusing natural resources can lead to problems like deforestation, pollution, and shortages. If we cut down too many trees without replanting, we lose forests that provide oxygen and homes for animals.
That’s why conservation is essential. By recycling materials, saving water, and using renewable energy, we can protect these resources for the future.
Everything we use in our daily lives comes from natural resources, which are materials found in nature that humans use to make things.
Natural resources are divided into renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Renewable resources, like sunlight, wind, and water, can be replenished. Nonrenewable resources, like coal, oil, and minerals, take millions of years to form and can run out.
Imagine a wooden table. Its wood comes from trees, a renewable resource since we can plant more. But what about the metal in its nails? That comes from minerals found underground, which often take millions of years to form.
Fossil fuels, like coal and oil, are powerful energy sources but are nonrenewable. Burning them provides electricity and fuels cars but also releases pollution.
Overusing natural resources can lead to problems like deforestation, pollution, and shortages. If we cut down too many trees without replanting, we lose forests that provide oxygen and homes for animals.
That’s why conservation is essential. By recycling materials, saving water, and using renewable energy, we can protect these resources for the future.
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