Year 11 - Geography
Classification of energy – non-renewable, renewable and recyclable
Energy
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit teaches pupils about different energy resources, their extraction and uses. Pupils learn about the different types of energy, the factors affecting extraction and the patterns and inequalites associated with production and consumption. Pupils also learn about energy futures.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to classify sources of energy into non-renewable, renewable and recyclable energy.
Key Notes
- Energy sources can be classified as non-renewable, renewable and recyclable.
- Non-renewable energy resources include fossil fuels: coal, oil and gas.
- Renewable energy resources include flows of solar, wind and HEP.
- Recyclable energy resources include nuclear and biofuels.
Vocabulary To Learn
- non-renewable energy: a natural source of energy that will run out because it cannot be reproduced, such as coal, oil and natural gas
- renewable energy: a natural source of energy that will never run out, such as flows of wind, water and solar energy
- recyclable energy: sources of energy that can be reused and so will last into the future, such as biofuels and nuclear energy
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Recyclable energy is the same as renewable energy.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
Energy sources can be classified as non-renewable, renewable and recyclable. Non-renewable energy resources include fossil fuels: coal, oil and gas.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'non-renewable energy'
a natural source of energy that will run out because it cannot be reproduced, such as coal, oil and natural gas.
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: Recyclable energy is the same as renewable energy. Correction: Renewable energy comes from natural processes that are constantly renewed, so they never run out. Recyclable energy comes from resources that are often finite (they can run out) but which can be reprocessed or reused to extend their use.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Changing attitudes to unsustainable energy consumption Study Guide
- Changing oil supply and prices Study Guide
- Costs and benefits to fossil fuel alternatives Study Guide
- Developing conventional oil/gas sources in sensitive or remote areas Study Guide
- Developing unconventional oil/gas sources in sensitive or remote areas Study Guide
- Distribution of oil reserves, factors affecting growth of oil consumption Study Guide
- Energy futures – contrasting views Study Guide
- Environmental impacts of energy extraction Study Guide
- Factors affecting access to energy resources Study Guide
- Global patterns of energy use and causes of variations Study Guide
- Reducing demand on fossil fuels Study Guide
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