How do renewable resources differ from non-renewable resources?

How do renewable resources differ from non-renewable resources?

• A. Renewable resources can be replenished naturally
• B. Non-renewable resources are always used up
• C. Both A and B
• D. Neither A nor B

Answer: (A)

Renewable resources can be replenished naturally, meaning they can be used repeatedly and replaced naturally over time. This includes resources like solar energy, wind energy, and biomass. These resources are characterized by their ability to regenerate through natural processes, making them sustainable over the long term. In contrast, non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels and minerals, are finite in quantity. Once they are extracted and used, they cannot be replaced on a human timescale, leading to depletion. While the characteristic of being used up applies specifically to non-renewable resources, it does not define renewable resources, as they are inherently sustainable due to their ability to renew themselves. The answer focuses on the nature of renewable resources in highlighting their regenerative capacity, which is fundamentally what distinguishes them from non-renewable resources.

Renewable resources can be replenished naturally, meaning they can be used repeatedly and replaced naturally over time. This includes resources like solar energy, wind energy, and biomass. These resources are characterized by their ability to regenerate through natural processes, making them sustainable over the long term.

In contrast, non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels and minerals, are finite in quantity. Once they are extracted and used, they cannot be replaced on a human timescale, leading to depletion. While the characteristic of being used up applies specifically to non-renewable resources, it does not define renewable resources, as they are inherently sustainable due to their ability to renew themselves.

The answer focuses on the nature of renewable resources in highlighting their regenerative capacity, which is fundamentally what distinguishes them from non-renewable resources.