Question

Identify the non-renewable resource from the following:

• A. Solar energy
• B. Wind energy
• C. Coal
• D. Tidal energy

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Coal

Non-Renewable Resources: An Overview

• Non-renewable resources are natural resources that cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up with consumption. Their formation takes millions of years, making their supply finite.

• Once these resources are depleted, they are gone for good or will take an incredibly long time to regenerate.

Coal as a Non-Renewable Resource

• Coal is a primary example of a non-renewable resource. It is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock formed from the remains of prehistoric vegetation, primarily trees, ferns, and other plants, that accumulated in swamps and peat bogs millions of years ago.

• The formation process of coal involves intense pressure and heat over geological timescales (millions of years), transforming the organic matter into peat, then lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, and finally anthracite, which is the highest grade.

• Due to its extremely slow formation process, coal reserves are considered finite and are being consumed much faster than nature can replenish them.