Natural Resources and Man Made Materials Class VI

Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth, making water a highly valued and limited resource. Conservation and management are essential for its population and environment.

Oil, gas, and coal are fossil fuels, which take millions of years to form and are consumed much faster than they are replenished. Other options like wind, sun, and plants are renewable or inexhaustible.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that exists in finite amounts and cannot be replaced on a human timescale. Water, solar, and wind are considered renewable resources.

Modern vehicle tyres are primarily manufactured from natural or synthetic rubber, which provides the necessary elasticity and durability.

Silk, cotton, and wool are raw natural fibers harvested from animals or plants. While they are processed into textiles, they are the base materials compared to manufactured items like bricks or tyres.

Metals are inorganic substances extracted from the Earth's crust. They do not grow, reproduce, or perform biological functions, so they are not living.

Wool is a natural fiber harvested from animals like sheep. Nylon, plastic, and polyester are synthetic materials created through chemical processes.

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll around the seeds of cotton plants.

Gold is classified as a precious metal due to its rarity, high economic value, and resistance to corrosion compared to common industrial metals like steel or zinc.

Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of ancient organisms buried underground. The sun is a star and the source of solar energy, not a fossil fuel.

Wind is a natural phenomenon caused by the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun. It is a naturally occurring resource used for energy.

Glass is primarily produced by melting silica sand at very high temperatures, often mixed with other additives.

A mobile phone is a complex electronic device manufactured by humans using various processed materials. Bamboo, rubber, and sand are raw natural materials.