There are two types of available natural resources: Renewable and Non-Renewable.

Renewable Resources: The resources available in nature in infinite quantities are known as renewable resources. These resources can be used repeatedly. Examples of renewable resources are wind, forest, water, etc.

Non-Renewable Resources: The resources that are limited and which may not exist in the future are known as non-renewable resources. Examples of non-renewable resources are minerals, fossil fuels, etc.

What are the differences between renewable and non-renewable resources?

Following are the major differences between renewable and non-renewable resources:

What are the important natural resources?

In NCERT Class 9 Science Chapter 14, the details of the five most significant natural resources are discussed. These resources are:

·     Water: Around 70% of the Earth is covered in water, and out of this, only 2 % is freshwater. Therefore, people must take the initiatives to save water. 

·     Air: Air must be clean. Clean air is vital for all animals, plants, and human beings to survive. Hence, necessary and stringent measures must be taken to reduce air pollution.

·     Iron: Iron is used to build transportation goods, strong weapons, and buildings.

·     Soil: Soil consists of various nutrients and particles. It is required for all the plants to grow.

·     Forests: Due to the constant increase in population, the demand for construction projects and housing keeps rising. For clean air, we depend on forests as they provide us with clean air. Forests also preserve the ecology of the world.

What are renewable natural resources?

In Class 9 Science Chapter 14, a few examples of non-renewable natural resources are given. These are the following:

·      Water: Freshwater is available on the Earth in a very small amount. Out of this amount of freshwater, only some amount can be used for drinking purposes. Amid the constant climate change, the rainfall pattern also keeps changing. All these are the reasons that threaten this natural resource on Earth, which is crucial to life.

·       Air: All living beings can exist only in clean air. But these days, we are breathing polluted air that is affecting the health of living beings.

What are non-renewable natural resources?

·       Fossil Fuels: Someday, a few natural resources, such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum will deplete, meaning they are exhaustible. A dead organism takes millions of years to convert into fuel. These non-renewable natural resources are consumed at a faster rate compared to the rate they are formed. Excess burning of these fossil fuels causes air pollution as it gives out carbon dioxide, which is a type of greenhouse gas.

How to conserve natural resources?

We should take strong measures to conserve all the essential natural resources as they are getting exhausted at an alarming rate. The depletion of natural resources happens when the renewable and non-renewable resources are utilised at a faster rate than that of replacement. If we take some measures, we can easily conserve all these natural resources:

· To prevent soil erosion, we should plant more trees.

·   We can use alternative sources of power, such as wind and solar energy, for daily use. 

·   We can use pipelines for transporting oil. 

·   Use of biogas must be encouraged in all houses.

·   All the required measures must be taken before the industrial waste and sewage are released into the water.

·   A rainwater harvesting system must be provided in all houses.

·   Instead of using conventional petroleum-based fuels, we should start using biofuels.

·   We should start using energy-saving bulbs and tube lights.

·   We need to practice the crop rotation method.

    What are the problems associated with natural resources?

    In Class 9 Science Chapter 14, several problems associated with natural resources are discussed. These problems are:

·   The overuse of these natural resources leads to various environmental and socio-economic problems.

·   Non-renewable natural resources are available in a limited quantity.

·   All the natural resources take thousands of years to form.

Q1. How do the atmosphere on Mars and the atmosphere on Venus differ from our atmosphere?

Answer: Earth is composed of a different atmosphere than Mars and Venus. In the atmosphere of Earth, there is oxygen, nitrogen, water vapour, a trace of carbon dioxide and other gases. And because of this composition, the existence of life on Earth is possible. On the other hand, on Mars and Venus, most of the atmosphere is covered by carbon dioxide. And the range of this carbon dioxide is around 95 per cent to 97 per cent.

Q2. Can the atmosphere act as a blanket?

Answer: The temperature of the Earth is constant because of the atmosphere. During the daytime, because of the sun, the sudden temperature increase is avoided. The atmosphere slows down or blocks the escape of heat from the Earth into outer space at night-time.

Q3. How are clouds formed?

Answer: In the heat of the sun, a large volume of water evaporates from different water sources and rises into the air. And as a result of this, the air in the atmosphere heats up. And as the water vapour carrying the air increases, the temperature cools and expands. Because of the condensation of water vapour, water droplets can be developed. Clouds in the sky are seen because of the production of water droplets.

Q4. How does wind create it?

Answer: There is uneven heating on the Earth’s surface which creates the wind. As the air is heated up, it raises the temperature of the atmosphere and becomes lighter. As a result, the low-pressure area is formed. Then the air automatically travels from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure area and as a result, the wind is created.

Q5. Why do living organisms need water?

Answer: All living organisms need water as all the cellular processes need water as a medium. Also, the transportation of the substance requires water.

Q6. What are the factors that help the soil to form?

Answer: Water, sun, living organisms, and wind play an important role in soil formation.

Water: From the water, soil formation can happen in two years. Due to the sun's heat, water pours through the cracks in the rocks. And as the water freezes, its volume increases. This results in the hole's size growing as well. And by the fast-moving water, the tiny and large rock fragments are carried downstream.

Living Organisms: There are few living organisms such as Lichens that are helpful in the development of soil. Lichens are also found on rocks. During their development, Lichens emit specific chemicals, and this causes the rock surface to power down and creates a thin coating of soil. Other small plants, such as moss, can also grow on this surface and because of it, the rocks can break apart even more.

Wind: When the wind is strong, it moves rock away and because of this rocks can rub together. And as a result, the rocks can break down into smaller and smaller bits.

On a concluding note, we have learned that natural resources are helpful and valuable for all living organisms under technological, economical, or social circumstances. With the help of NCERT Class 9 Science Natural Resources Solution, students can learn all the key topics and subtopics related to the matter.