Resources

Key terms:
1. Utility: the state or quality of being useful
2. Patent: it means the exclusive right over any idea or invention
3. Technology: it is the application of latest knowledge and skill in doing or making things
4. Stock of resource: it is the amount of resources available for use
5. Hydroelectricity: pertaining to the generation and distribution electricity derived from the
energy of falling water or any other hydraulic source
6. Ubiquitous: existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresent
7. Terrain: a stretch of land, especially with regard to its physical features.
8. Altitude: the height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.
9. Resource Conservation: using resources carefully and giving them time to get renewed
10. Sustainable Development: balancing the need to use resources and also conserve them for
the future

Question Answers:
1. Answer the following questions.
(i) Why are resources distributed unequally over the earth?
Answer: Earth has different topography, climate and altitude at different places. Difference in these
factors have resulted in unequal distribution of resources over the earth. Also, all these factors are
different from place to place on the earth. Moreover, the level of development and technological levels
determine the distribution.
(ii) What is resource conservation?
Answer: Saving the resources for the future generations is called conservation. It is the protection and
ethical use of valuable resources such as minerals, water, trees, wildlife and others. Resource
conservation basically focuses on maintaining the natural world in order to protect the sources of
resources.
(iii) Why are human resources important?
Answer: Humans as a resource are important because they have the ability to extract value from all
other resources. They can make the best use of nature to create more resources, as they have the
knowledge, skill and technology to do so. Education and health helps in making humans a valuable
resource.
(iv) What is sustainable development?
Answer: Balancing the need to use resources and also conserving them for the future is called
sustainable development. The future of our planet and its people is linked with our ability to maintain
and preserve the life support system that nature provides. Sustainable development is when all
renewable resources are used sustainably, the diversity of life on the earth is conserved and the
damage to the natural environmental system is minimised and saved for our future generations.
2. Tick the correct Answer
(i) Which one of the following does NOT make substance a resource?

1. Utility
2. Value
3. Quantity
Answer: 3 Quantity
(ii) Which one of the following is a human made resource?

1. Medicines to treat cancer

2. Spring water
3. Tropical forest
Answer:1 Medicine to treat cancer
(iii) Complete the following statement:
Biotic resources are …………..
 1. Derived from living things
2. Made by human beings
3. Derived from non-living things
Answer:1 Derived from living things
3. Differentiate between the following:
(a) Potential and actual resources
S. No. Potential resources Actual resources
These resources are being used in the
(i) These resources could be used in the future.
present.
These resources are those resources whose These resources are those resources whose
(ii)
entire quantity may not be known. entire quantity are known.
Example: Coal deposits in Ruhr region of
(iii) Example: Uranium found in Ladakh.
Germany.
  (b) Ubiquitous and localised resources.
S. No. Ubiquitous resources localised resources
Localized on the other hand are not
Ubiquitous resources are the type of resources which
(i) found easily and are found in specific
are found everywhere.
places.
The examples of this can be the air we breathe and
(ii) water we drink and the soil we use for planting and The example, copper, coal, iron ore etc.
irrigation purposes. 
These resources are found in limited
These resources are usually found in larger quantity quantity and are also responsible for
(iii)
and they do not cause pollution and are eco-friendly. causing pollution and are not eco-
friendly.