Chapter 11: Nature's Treasures
Air, water, sunlight, forests, soil, rocks and fuels: nature gives us many treasures. In this chapter we find out what each one gives us, which ones can run out, and how we can use them wisely so that they last.
In this chapter you will
- describe air, water, sunlight, forests, soil and minerals as natural resources
- explain how soil and fossil fuels form
- tell renewable from non-renewable resources
- suggest ways to save resources
Topics
- Air NCERT 11.1
Natural resources are useful things we get from nature.
- Water NCERT 11.2
Only a small part of Earth's water is usable fresh water.
- Energy from the Sun NCERT 11.3
The Sun is the main source of energy on Earth, even for our food.
- Forests NCERT 11.4
Forests give wood, food, medicines and homes for animals.
- Soil, Rocks and Minerals NCERT 11.5
Soil forms from rocks over hundreds of years; humus makes it fertile.
- Fossil Fuels NCERT 11.6
Coal, petroleum and natural gas are fossil fuels formed over millions of years.
- Renewable and Non-renewable Resources NCERT 11.7–11.8
Renewable resources are replaced quickly by nature; non-renewable ones are not.
Key words
- Natural resource
- a useful thing we get from nature
- Groundwater
- water stored under the ground
- Humus
- rotted plant and animal matter in soil
- Fossil fuels
- coal, petroleum and natural gas, formed over millions of years
- Renewable resource
- replaced by nature quickly
- Non-renewable resource
- takes millions of years to form
Summary
- Air is a mixture of gases: about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
- Fresh water is limited; rainwater harvesting helps store it.
- The Sun is the main source of energy; forests, soil and minerals are precious resources.
- Fossil fuels and minerals are non-renewable; sunlight, wind and water are renewable. Reduce, reuse, recycle.