Which statement correctly describes renewable and nonrenewable resources, with examples?

Which statement correctly describes renewable and nonrenewable resources, with examples?

• A. Nonrenewable resources can be replenished quickly, such as fossil fuels
• B. Renewable resources can be replenished naturally and include sunlight and wind
• C. Fossil fuels are renewable resources
• D. Water is always finite and cannot renew

Answer: (B)

Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally in a short time, so they stay available as we use them. Sunlight and wind are classic examples because the sun continually shines and the wind keeps blowing, providing energy that can be harvested again and again. That’s why this statement is the best: renewable resources can be replenished naturally and include sunlight and wind. Why the other ideas don’t fit: fossil fuels, like coal and oil, are not renewable; they formed over millions of years and are used up much faster than they can form. The term nonrenewable describes resources that don’t renew on human timescales. Water is renewed through the water cycle—evaporation, condensation, and precipitation—so it isn’t considered always finite in the way those statements imply.

Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally in a short time, so they stay available as we use them. Sunlight and wind are classic examples because the sun continually shines and the wind keeps blowing, providing energy that can be harvested again and again.

That’s why this statement is the best: renewable resources can be replenished naturally and include sunlight and wind.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: fossil fuels, like coal and oil, are not renewable; they formed over millions of years and are used up much faster than they can form. The term nonrenewable describes resources that don’t renew on human timescales. Water is renewed through the water cycle—evaporation, condensation, and precipitation—so it isn’t considered always finite in the way those statements imply.