Classification and Examples of Natural Resources
Natural Resources are essential in chemistry and help students understand various practical and theoretical applications related to this topic.
What is Natural Resources in Chemistry?
A natural resource refers to any material or substance found in nature and used by living beings, especially humans, to meet their needs. This concept appears in chapters related to environment, resource management, and energy, making it a foundational part of your chemistry syllabus.
Types and Classification of Natural Resources
Natural resources are broadly classified according to their origin and renewability, which is vital for understanding their role in chemistry and the environment. Knowing the types helps identify their uses and conservation requirements.
| Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Renewable Resources | Resources that can be naturally replenished in a short period. | Water, sunlight, wind, biomass, forests |
| Non-renewable Resources | Resources formed over millions of years and are finite or exhaustible. | Coal, petroleum, minerals, metals, natural gas |
| Biotic Resources | Obtained from living things (plants, animals). | Wood, crops, fisheries, forests |
| Abiotic Resources | Derived from non-living things. | Soil, water, air, minerals, sunlight |
20 Common Natural Resources and Their Uses
Natural resources play a vital role in our lives and industries. Here is a list of widely used natural resources with their common uses in chemistry and daily life.
| Resource | Type | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Renewable, Abiotic | Drinking, agriculture, solvent in chemistry, cleaning, industry |
| Air | Renewable, Abiotic | Respiration, combustion, industrial gas production |
| Sunlight | Renewable, Abiotic | Photosynthesis, solar energy, vitamin D synthesis |
| Soil | Renewable, Abiotic | Farming, construction, foundation for plants |
| Coal | Non-renewable, Abiotic | Fuel, electricity, steel production, chemistry labs |
| Petroleum | Non-renewable, Abiotic | Fuel, plastics, medicines, chemicals |
| Natural Gas | Non-renewable, Abiotic | Cooking, electricity, chemical synthesis |
| Wood | Renewable, Biotic | Furniture, paper, fuel, construction, lab experiments |
| Iron | Non-renewable, Abiotic | Steel, tools, construction, machinery |
| Copper | Non-renewable, Abiotic | Wires, alloys, plumbing, coins |
| Gold | Non-renewable, Abiotic | Jewellery, electronics, dentistry |
| Bauxite (Aluminium Ore) | Non-renewable, Abiotic | Aero parts, cans, foils, kitchen utensils |
| Salt | Renewable, Abiotic | Cooking, food preservation, chemical industry |
| Phosphates | Non-renewable, Abiotic | Fertilizers, detergents, chemistry |
| Forests | Renewable, Biotic | Habitat, wood, medicine, oxygen supply |
| Fisheries | Renewable, Biotic | Food, protein, fertilizer, research |
| Wind | Renewable, Abiotic | Wind energy, drying, power generation |
| Uranium | Non-renewable, Abiotic | Nuclear energy, medicine, research |
| Silica (Sand) | Renewable, Abiotic | Glass, electronics, construction |
| Wool | Renewable, Biotic | Clothing, textiles, insulation |
Importance of Natural Resources in Chemistry and Everyday Life
Natural resources are critical for sustaining life, powering industries, and enabling technological progress. Chemistry examines these materials to develop eco-friendly solutions and optimize usage.
- Provide raw materials for everyday objects and food production
- Essential for clean water, energy, medicines, and construction
- Help maintain ecological balance and biodiversity
Conservation Strategies for Natural Resources
Conserving natural resources helps protect the environment and ensures long-term availability. Chemistry guides efficient usage and pollution control.
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle materials
- Use renewable energy sources like solar and wind
- Harvest rainwater and conserve water
- Prevent deforestation; plant more trees
- Control pollution through green chemistry
Frequent Related Errors
- Mixing up renewable and non-renewable resource categories
- Ignoring the environmental impact of overuse
- Forgetting that not all resources are infinite or easily replaced
Uses of Natural Resources in Real Life
Natural resources are used for making fuels, generating electricity, building homes, producing clothing, and even medicine. Clean water supports health, while minerals and metals shape industries.
Relation with Other Chemistry Concepts
Natural resources connect with topics like renewable and nonrenewable resources, environmental chemistry, and mineral extraction. This understanding builds a complete picture of the chemical world's relation to the natural one.
Step-by-Step Example: Resource Conservation
1. Identify the resource under threat (e.g., water)2. Understand the main causes of wastage (e.g., leakage, overuse)
3. Apply chemistry-based solutions (e.g., water purification, recycling)
4. Promote responsible use in daily life (e.g., shorter showers, fix leaks)
5. Monitor conservation success
Lab or Experimental Tips
Remember, lab experiments using natural resources like water or minerals should minimize waste and avoid contamination. Vedantu educators recommend logging every resource used and promoting eco-friendly alternatives in lab activities.
Try This Yourself
- Classify air, coal, water, and wood as renewable or non-renewable.
- Draw a simple chart showing natural resource classification.
- List two ways to conserve any natural resource in your home or school.
Final Wrap-Up
We explored natural resources—their types, uses, classification, and conservation. They are fundamental to chemistry, industry, and daily life. For deeper understanding and helpful revision tips, join interactive sessions and read topic guides at Vedantu.
For more about conserving resources and sustainable chemistry, check these helpful pages:
FAQs on What Are Natural Resources in Chemistry?
1. What are natural resources?
Natural resources are materials and substances found in nature that are useful to humans for survival, development, and industry.
Examples include:
- Water
- Air
- Minerals
- Forests
- Fossil fuels
2. What are 5 examples of natural resources?
Five common examples of natural resources are:
- Air
- Water
- Coal
- Forests
- Soil
3. What is the classification of natural resources?
Natural resources are mainly classified by:
- Renewability: Renewable (can replenish) and non-renewable (limited supply).
- Origin: Biotic (from living things) and abiotic (from non-living things).
4. Why is conservation of natural resources important?
Conservation of natural resources is essential because:
- It ensures resources are available for future generations.
- Prevents overuse and depletion of valuable substances.
- Maintains ecological balance and supports sustainable development.
5. What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?
The difference is:
- Renewable resources can naturally replenish in a short period (e.g., sunlight, wind, water).
- Non-renewable resources have limited supplies and take millions of years to form (e.g., coal, petroleum).
6. What are 20 natural resources and their uses?
Here are 20 natural resources with key uses:
- Water – drinking, irrigation
- Coal – power generation
- Petroleum – fuel, plastics
- Natural gas – cooking, heating
- Iron ore – steel production
- Bauxite – making aluminum
- Copper – wiring
- Gold – jewelry, electronics
- Silver – ornaments, electronics
- Salt – food, industry
- Limestone – cement
- Phosphates – fertilizers
- Timber – construction
- Soil – agriculture
- Air – respiration, combustion
- Sunlight – energy, photosynthesis
- Wind – wind power
- Fish – food
- Clay – pottery
- Wool – textiles
7. How can we conserve natural resources?
Conserving natural resources involves:
- Using resources efficiently and only when necessary
- Reducing waste
- Recycling materials
- Reusing items
- Supporting alternative and renewable energy sources
8. What will happen if natural resources are exhausted?
If natural resources are depleted:
- Human activities and industries may stop functioning.
- There can be economic hardship.
- Ecosystems may become imbalanced.
- Future generations may suffer resource scarcity.
9. What role does Chemistry play in the management of natural resources?
Chemistry helps manage natural resources by:
- Developing new recycling and purification methods
- Discovering alternative materials
- Reducing pollution through cleaner technologies
- Creating sustainable energy solutions
10. What makes a resource ‘renewable’?
A resource is renewable if it can be naturally replenished or regenerated within a human lifetime.
- Examples: Solar energy, wind, water, forests (if managed responsibly)
11. Can all natural resources be replenished?
No, not all natural resources can be replenished. Only renewable resources can be regenerated in a short time. Non-renewable resources, like coal and petroleum, take millions of years to form and are not replaceable once used up.
12. Why are natural resources important?
Natural resources are important because:
- They support life and fulfill basic human needs
- They drive industrial growth and economic development
- They maintain ecological and environmental balance
