Question

Air is a natural resource and cannot be exhausted by human activities. It is known as an inexhaustible natural resource. Which of the following is another natural resource?
A.Coal
B.Petroleum
C.Sunlight
D.Minerals

Answer 1

Hint: Natural resources are a gift from nature to meet people’s needs. It includes natural substances like oil, soil, water etc. These are the substances that occur naturally. The excessive use of natural resources by humans has destroyed nature.
Complete step by step answer:
There are two types of natural resources:
Inexhaustible natural resource: These resources cannot be finished by human activities and these are present in unlimited amounts. For example air , soil
Exhaustible natural resources: These resources are present in limited quantities. For example coal, minerals.
Now let us examine each of the given resources in the options .
A) Coal is a natural resource but it is considered as exhaustible natural resources. Coal is formed from dead remains of animals and plants which got buried millions of years ago. Coal is also known as fossil fuels.
 

Exhaustible resource: Coal

B) Petroleum is also a natural resource but it is an exhaustible natural resource. It is also made up of dead remains of plants and animals. C) Sunlight is an inexhaustible natural resource which is obtained from nature and its overuse cannot lead to depletion.
  

Inexhaustible resources: sunlight


D) Minerals are pure inorganic substances that are present finite and non renewable.

Therefore, the correct option is (C) that is sunlight.

Note:
Natural resources can also be classified further in two types:
Biotic resources: these resources are obtained from organic and living materials like plants, animals. Fossil fuels are also included because they are formed from dead remains.
Abiotic resources: these resources are obtained from non organic, non living materials like water, air.