📚 Part of: Indus Valley Civilization And Energy Resources Mcqs

Non Renewable sources of energy are?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Correct Answer: C) Natural Gas and Oil.

Exam Relevance: UPSC Civil Services, GATE, SSC, Banking Exams, Railway Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes:

Non-renewable energy sources are those that cannot be replenished within a human timescale. These include fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, which are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years. They are finite and their extraction and use have significant environmental impacts.

Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
  • Believing that all energy sources are renewable.
  • Not understanding the time scale required to replenish non-renewable resources.
Explanation:

Non-renewable energy sources are those that cannot be replenished within a human timescale. These sources are primarily fossil fuels, which include coal, oil, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years. The process of their formation is extremely slow, and once these resources are extracted and used, they cannot be replenished within a human lifetime.

Natural gas and oil are both examples of non-renewable energy sources. Natural gas is a hydrocarbon gas mixture primarily composed of methane, and it is extracted from underground reservoirs. Oil, or petroleum, is a liquid fossil fuel that is also extracted from underground reservoirs. Both of these resources are finite and their extraction and use have significant environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.

Renewable energy sources, on the other hand, are those that can be replenished within a human timescale. Examples include solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biomass energy. These sources are sustainable and do not deplete over time. Solar energy is derived from the sun, wind energy from the movement of air, hydroelectric power from the flow of water, and biomass energy from organic matter.

It is important to understand the distinction between renewable and non-renewable energy sources because the use of non-renewable sources has significant environmental and economic implications. The depletion of non-renewable resources can lead to energy crises and environmental degradation, while the transition to renewable energy sources can help mitigate these issues and promote sustainable development.

In summary, the correct answer is (C) Natural Gas and Oil, as these are both non-renewable energy sources formed from ancient organic matter and cannot be replenished within a human timescale.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect. Solar and water are renewable energy sources. Solar energy is derived from the sun and can be harnessed continuously, while water (hydroelectric power) is a renewable resource as it is replenished through the water cycle. Both are sustainable and do not deplete over time.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. While coal is a non-renewable energy source, wind is a renewable energy source. Wind energy is derived from the movement of air and can be harnessed continuously, making it a sustainable resource. Therefore, this option includes both renewable and non-renewable sources, which does not fit the question's requirement for non-renewable sources only.
  • Option C: This option is correct. Natural gas and oil are both non-renewable energy sources. They are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years and are extracted from the earth. Once these resources are depleted, they cannot be replenished within a human timescale, making them non-renewable.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. Oil is a non-renewable energy source, but solar energy is renewable. Solar energy is derived from the sun and can be harnessed continuously, making it a sustainable resource. Therefore, this option includes both renewable and non-renewable sources, which does not fit the question's requirement for non-renewable sources only.
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