5 min readConcept sheetPart I MCQ and Part II (2 marks): classify resources with examples

Natural resources: renewable and non-renewable

Natural resources come from nature. Renewable resources like sunlight, water and forests are replaced by nature; non-renewable resources like coal, petroleum and minerals are not.

Natural resourceAnything from nature that people use: air, water, soil, forests, minerals, fuels

RenewableReplaced by nature in a short time, if used wisely

Non-renewableFormed over millions of years; once used up, not replaced in our lifetime

Fossil fuelsCoal, petroleum and natural gas, formed from ancient buried plants and animals

Renewable vs non-renewable resources

RenewableReplaced by nature in a short time. Examples: sunlight, wind, water, forests, soil, crops and animals. They can still run out if overused, for example when forests are cut faster than they regrow.

Non-renewableFormed over millions of years, so the stock is limited. Examples: coal, petroleum, natural gas, minerals (iron, copper, aluminium ores) and nuclear fuels (uranium). Once used up, they are gone.

Fossil fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, buried deep under heat and pressure.

Examples from Tamil Nadu

Resource	Type	Where
Lignite (brown coal)	Non-renewable	Neyveli, Cuddalore district
Petroleum and natural gas	Non-renewable	Cauvery basin (Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur districts)
Limestone (for cement)	Non-renewable	Ariyalur district
Wind	Renewable	Muppandal and Aralvaimozhi, Kanyakumari district
Forests	Renewable	Western Ghats, Nilgiris, Kolli Hills
River water	Renewable	Kaveri, Vaigai and Thamirabarani rivers

Why manage natural resources?

The population is growing, so the need for food, water and energy keeps rising.
Non-renewable resources will run out one day.
Overuse can exhaust even renewable resources, such as groundwater and forests.
Mining and burning fuels cause pollution and climate change.
Resources must be shared fairly and saved for future generations. The 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) help.

In real life

The LPG in your kitchen and the petrol in a scooter are non-renewable. The sunlight that dries vadams and appalams on the terrace is renewable and free.

Exam angle

1 marks: “Coal is a ______ resource.” Non-renewable.

2 marks: “Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources with examples.” Renewable: replaced by nature in a short time (sunlight, wind, forests). Non-renewable: formed over millions of years, limited stock (coal, petroleum, minerals).

4 marks: “Classify natural resources with examples. Why should they be managed?” Renewable and non-renewable with three examples each; growing demand, limited stock, overuse of renewables, pollution, needs of future generations.

Remember it

Renewable = it returns. Non-renewable = none left once used.