Geography

• Non-renewable resources include coal, oil, natural gas, uranium, and metals such as iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, tin, bauxite (for aluminum), gold, silver, platinum, palladium, diamonds, and rare earth elements.
• Renewables have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels as an energy source.
• The main types of renewable energy are solar, wind, hydroelectricity, geothermal, tidal, wave, biomass, and biofuels.
• Renewable resources are replenished naturally over time and can be used sustainably without depletion or extinction.
• Examples of renewable resources include solar energy, wind power, hydroelectricity, biomass, geothermal heat, tidal power, rainwater harvesting, and aquifers.
• The use of non-renewable resources has led to environmental problems like pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, desertification, air pollution, water scarcity, climate change, and waste management issues.
• Solar power is generated using photovoltaic cells or concentrated solar power systems that convert sunlight into electricity.
• The main renewable sources are solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, geothermal heat, tidal power, wave power, biomass, and biofuels.
• Solar Power - Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells made from silicon or other materials that absorb light and release electrons.
• Examples of renewable resources include sunlight, rainfall, rivers, tides, waves, forests, crops, fish stocks, and wildlife populations.
• Wind turbines generate electricity from the kinetic energy of moving air.
• Hydroelectricity involves harnessing the energy of falling water to turn turbines and produce electricity.
• Mechanical Weathering


  Physical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces through natural forces
• Chemical Weathering


  Chemical reaction between rocks and their environment, resulting in chemical breakdown
• Biological Weathering


  Plants and animals contributing to weathering through physical and chemical processes
• Atmospheric Weathering


  Exposure to natural elements like sun, wind, and rain, causing chemical and physical breakdown
• Freeze-Thaw Cycle


  A process of mechanical weathering where water seeps into cracks, freezes, and expands, breaking the rock into smaller pieces.
• Water Infiltration


  Water seeping into cracks and fissures in rocks.
• Freezing


  Water freezing and expanding about 9% in volume.
• Pressure Buildup


  Expanded water ice filling the crack, creating pressure.
• Rock Fragmentation


  Rocks breaking apart due to pressure buildup.
• Defrosting


  Ice melting, leaving behind fragmented rock.
• Soil Formation


  Process of creating soil through weathering, mixing, and nutrient cycling.
• Weathering


  Precursor to soil formation, breaking down rocks into smaller particles.
• Mixing


  Mixing weathered particles with organic matter, water, and air to create a loose structure.
• Nutrient Cycling


  Process of releasing and storing nutrients through microbial and animal activities.
• Soil Profile


  Layered structure of soil, including O-Horizon, A-Horizon, B-Horizon, and C-Horizon.
• O-Horizon


  Top layer of soil, rich in organic matter, supporting plant growth.
• A-Horizon


  Middle layer of soil, rich in nutrients, influenced by earthworms and microorganisms.
• B-Horizon


  Subsoil layer, with lower nutrient levels, influenced by earthworms and microorganisms.
• C-Horizon


  Subsoil layer, with low organic matter, high mineral content, and limited biotic activity.
• Soil Components


  Inorganic and organic components that make up soil, including minerals, sand, silt, clay, humus, plant residues, microorganisms, and animal matter.
• Minerals


  Weathered rocks and minerals, such as silica, alumina, and iron oxide, making up soil structure.
• Sand


  Fine-grained mineral particles, often from sandstone or quartzite, composing soil structure.
• Silt


  Middle-grained mineral particles, often from shale or limestone, composing soil structure.
• Clay


  Fine-grained mineral particles, often from shale, kaolin, or bentonite, composing soil structure.
• Humus


  Decomposed plant and animal matter, rich in carbon and nutrients, decomposed by microorganisms.
• Plant Residues


  Dried plant matter, such as leaves and stems, composing soil organic matter.
• Microorganisms


  Bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms breaking down organic matter and decomposing it.
• Animal Matter


  Dead animal remains, such as insects, worms, and small mammals, contributing to soil organic matter.