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Difficulty: MediumRenewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources

An energy board in West Africa is evaluating power sources to ensure sustainable long-term development. Which of the following best explains why geothermal energy is classified as a renewable natural resource, whereas coal deposits are classified as non-renewable?

  1. Geothermal energy is continuously naturally replenished on a human timescale, whereas coal forms over geological periods far exceeding human rate of consumption.Answer
  2. B
    Geothermal heat originates from inorganic Earth processes, whereas coal originates from ancient organic matter.
  3. C
    Geothermal plants cause no environmental degradation, whereas coal extraction severely disrupts topsoil and vegetation.
  4. D
    Geothermal energy can be recycled after consumption, whereas thermal energy from coal combustion is permanently lost.

Answer

Geothermal energy is classified as renewable because it is naturally replenished on a human timescale, whereas coal forms over geological timeframes far exceeding its rate of consumption.
Renewability is defined by the rate at which a natural resource naturally replenishes relative to human consumption. Geothermal heat is continuously supplied by the Earth's interior processes on a human timeframe, whereas coal is a fossil fuel whose geological formation process requires millions of years, making it finite and exhaustible.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Define the criterion for natural resource classification (renewable vs. non-renewable).
Classification depends primarily on the rate at which the resource is naturally replenished relative to human rate of utilization.
Renewable resources naturally regenerate fast enough to be sustained indefinitely under proper management.
2
Analyze geothermal heat as an energy source.
Geothermal energy draws on continuous subsurface heat flows generated by planetary thermal decay, providing ongoing replenishment.
This heat flux is functionally infinite and self-renewing on human time horizons.
3
Analyze coal deposits as a fossil fuel resource.
Coal forms from compressed organic matter under heat and pressure over millions of years.
Because its formation rate is millions of times slower than current extraction rates, coal reserves are finite and exhaustible.

Key Concept

Resource Classification by Rate of Replenishment
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Renewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources

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