8th Natural Resources (C18) Practice Test

Nonrenewable energy refers to resources that are finite and cannot be replenished on a human timescale. Coal, oil, and natural gas are fossil fuels formed over millions of years; once we burn them, they’re not quickly replaced. Nuclear energy uses uranium (or other heavy elements), which is also finite and not replenished on a practical timescale. Because these sources can’t be replenished within a human lifetime, they’re categorized as nonrenewable. In contrast, renewable energy comes from sources that replenish naturally or can be sustained—like solar, wind, hydro, and biomass.