Question

Which of the following is an inexhaustible resource?
a.Mineral ores
b.Uranium
c.Sunlight
d.Fossil fuels

Answer 1

Hint: Any physical material that constitutes part of the Earth is called a resource. They are distributed spatially in varying quality and quantity.

Complete Answer:The two factors depending on which a substance can be converted into a resource is, Time and Technology.
Resources are broadly classified into 2 types; Renewable Resources and Non-RenewableResources.

Renewable Resources or inexhaustible resources are those which can be regenerated by natural processes within a certain period.
-They are replaceable and inexhaustible. One of the inexhaustible sources of energy is Biomass. Example: Solar Energy, wind energy
-The use of these resources is clean and can cause less pollution than exhaustible resources.
-These resources are free for anyone and can’t be monopolized.
-They don't require extraction and can be used directly without conversion.

Non-renewable resources are those which cannot be regenerated and are irreplaceable.
-They are exhaustible and should be utilized wisely. They will deplete and exhaust after a few hundred years. Example: coal, natural gas
-The use of these resources is not so environmentally friendly, as they are used inefficiently.
-These resources are monopolised.
-They require extraction and can have to undergo a conversion process before it is put to use.

Looking at the options given:

Option a: Mineral ores are exhaustible. This is an incorrect answer.

Option b: Uranium is a radioactive material and will get exhausted. This is an incorrect answer.

Option c: Sunlight is an inexhaustible resource. This is the correct answer.

Option d: Fossil fuels will get exhausted one day if not used wisely. Therefore, this is also incorrect.

So, the correct answer is option c.

Note:
-Conventional sources of energy are also known as non-renewable sources of energy and are available in limited amounts apart from hydro-electric power.
-Non-conventional sources are also known as renewable sources of energy. Examples include solar energy, bioenergy, tidal energy and wind energy.