Question

Air is a natural resource and cannot be exhausted by human activities. It is known as an inexhaustible natural resource. Which of the following is another inexhaustible natural resource?

• A. Coal
• B. Petroleum
• C. Sun-light
• D. Minerals

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Sun-light

The explanation for the correct answer

Correct answer :(c) Sunlight

Exhaustible resources

• Exhaustible resources can be defined as the resources that can get depleted or exhausted as they mostly exist in limited supply.
• Examples of exhaustible resources are coal and fossil fuel.
• The use of these resources is mostly not environmentally friendly, as they are used improperly and inefficiently.
• Most of these resources can be monopolized.

Inexhaustible resources

• Inexhaustible resources can be defined as the resources that can’t be exhausted or used up as they exist in abundant and endless supply.
• Examples are wind and sunlight (solar).
• The use of these resources is mostly clean and can cause far less environmental pollution than exhaustible resources.
• Most of these resources are free for anyone to harness. They can’t be monopolized.
• Hence, sunlight, air and water are inexhaustible natural resources that cannot be exhausted by human activities.

The explanation for incorrect answers

Option(a)

• Coal is an exhaustible resource, it exists in a limited quantity in the environment.
• Hence, option a is incorrect.

Option (b) :

• Petroleum is also an exhaustible resource hence, it cannot be obtained again once it is exhausted.
• Therefore, option b is incorrect.

option (d)

• Minerals are also present in the limited supply in the environment, once exhausted they cannot be obtained again.
• Hence, option d is incorrect.

Hence, sunlight is an inexhaustible natural resource, option (C) is the correct answer.