AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
Define a nonrenewable energy source.
A nonrenewable energy source is one that exists in a fixed amount and involves an energy transformation that cannot be easily replaced.
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Define a nonrenewable energy source.
A nonrenewable energy source is one that exists in a fixed amount and involves an energy transformation that cannot be easily replaced.
What key characteristic defines a nonrenewable resource's availability?
A key characteristic is that nonrenewable resources exist in a fixed amount, meaning they are finite and not easily replaced once consumed.
What relationship between replenishment and consumption is required for a source to be considered renewable?
For a source to be renewable, it must be replenished naturally at a rate that is at or near the rate of its consumption.
Besides being replenishable, what is another characteristic of renewable energy sources mentioned in the text?
Another characteristic mentioned is that renewable energy sources can be reused.
What aspect of energy transformation is critical to the definition of a nonrenewable source?
The critical aspect is that the energy transformation process cannot be easily replaced, contributing to the resource's finite nature.
If a resource can be used repeatedly and its supply is restored daily by a natural process, what type of resource is it?
This is a renewable energy source because it can be replenished naturally at or near the rate of consumption and reused.
Define a renewable energy source.
A renewable energy source is one that can be replenished naturally, at or near the rate of consumption, and can be reused.
An energy source is used up much faster than nature can create more of it. How would you classify this source?
This source would be classified as nonrenewable because its energy transformation cannot be easily replaced at the rate of consumption.
What is the primary difference between renewable and nonrenewable energy sources?
The primary difference is the rate of replacement; renewable sources can be replenished at or near the rate of consumption, while nonrenewable sources exist in a fixed amount and cannot be easily replaced.
What is meant by the term 'fixed amount' in the context of energy sources?
It refers to an energy source that is finite and cannot be easily replaced once it has been consumed, which is the defining feature of nonrenewable energy.