Question

Exhaustible resources are:
A. Coal
B. Fossil fuels
C. Minerals
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Exhaustible resources are the ones that are found in limited amounts in nature. These resources cannot be replenished after they have been used.

Complete answer:
Non-renewable or exhaustible resources are natural resources that are exhausted if they are subject to constant use.

Coal is formed under the surface of the earth. It is derived from mining by the decomposition of dead matter. It takes thousands of years to form natural resources like coal, petroleum (cross oil) and natural gas and they cannot be substituted as easily as they're used.

Fossil fuels take millions of years to be produced from dead plants and animals buried deep within the Earth. They need high temperature and pressure to shape, which cannot be given in the laboratory. Fossils are therefore present in small amounts. Thus, the use of fossil fuels at a high rate would eventually contribute to their depletion.

Minerals and metal ores are examples of non-renewable resources. Minerals are generally used for making metals. The availability of minerals is limited by quantity. If the minerals have been withdrawn from the earth, they cannot be recovered after consumption.

Hence, The correct answer is option (D).

Note:
A natural resource (also known as exhaustible resource) cannot be easily replaced with other means to keep up with the consumption. Earth minerals and metal ores, fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and groundwater in certain aquifers are considered as exhaustible resources, although individual elements are always retained (except for nuclear reactions).