Educational worksheet comparing renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.

Let’s go step by step to fill out the worksheet correctly.

We are comparing Renewable and Nonrenewable energy sources.
- Renewable = can be replaced naturally in a short time (like wind, sun, water).
- Nonrenewable = takes millions of years to form; once used up, they’re gone (like coal, oil, gas).

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Step 1: Fill in “Resource Type” for each resource

#### Coal → Nonrenewable
Coal is formed from ancient plants over millions of years. We can’t make more quickly.

#### Wind → Renewable
Wind blows all the time — it won’t run out.

#### Solar → Renewable
Sunshine comes every day — we can’t use it all up.

#### Hydroelectric → Renewable
Uses flowing water (rivers, dams) — water cycle keeps refilling it.

#### Oil → Nonrenewable
Made from dead sea creatures long ago — takes forever to remake.

#### Natural Gas → Nonrenewable
Same as oil — fossil fuel, formed slowly underground.

#### Geothermal → Renewable
Heat from inside Earth — always there, never runs out.

*(Note: The last row on the second sheet says “rmal” — that’s likely “Geothermal”.)*

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Step 2: List Advantages and Disadvantages

Use simple, clear points.

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#### Coal
✔ Advantages: Cheap, lots available now, easy to burn for electricity
✘ Disadvantages: Pollutes air, causes climate change, dangerous to mine

#### Wind
✔ Advantages: Clean, no pollution, free fuel (wind!)
✘ Disadvantages: Only works when windy, can hurt birds, noisy for some people

#### Solar
✔ Advantages: Clean, silent, works anywhere with sunlight
✘ Disadvantages: Doesn’t work at night or cloudy days, panels cost money upfront

#### Hydroelectric
✔ Advantages: Clean, reliable, can store energy in reservoirs
✘ Disadvantages: Needs rivers/dams, harms fish and ecosystems, expensive to build

#### Oil
✔ Advantages: Powerful, easy to transport, used in cars/planes
✘ Disadvantages: Pollutes, spills harm oceans, will run out someday

#### Natural Gas
✔ Advantages: Cleaner than coal/oil, good for heating/cooking
✘ Disadvantages: Still pollutes, leaks can cause explosions, nonrenewable

#### Geothermal
✔ Advantages: Always available, clean, small land use
✘ Disadvantages: Only works in certain places, drilling can cause earthquakes

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Step 3: Answer the final question

> Given the choice, which energy source would you choose for your town? Why?

Pick one renewable source — they’re better for the planet.

Example answer:
*I’d choose solar because it’s clean, doesn’t pollute, and our town gets lots of sunshine. Even though panels cost money at first, they save money later and help protect nature.*

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Final Answer:

Resource Types:
- Coal → Nonrenewable
- Wind → Renewable
- Solar → Renewable
- Hydroelectric → Renewable
- Oil → Nonrenewable
- Natural Gas → Nonrenewable
- Geothermal → Renewable

Advantages & Disadvantages (summarized):

| Resource | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|----------------|---------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| Coal | Cheap, abundant, easy to use | Pollutes, harmful mining, finite |
| Wind | Clean, free, no emissions | Intermittent, noise, bird risk |
| Solar | Clean, silent, scalable | Night/cloudy limits, high startup cost |
| Hydroelectric | Reliable, clean, storable | Damages ecosystems, location-limited |
| Oil | High energy, portable | Pollutes, spills, finite |
| Natural Gas | Cleaner than coal, versatile | Still pollutes, leak risks, finite |
| Geothermal | Constant, clean, low footprint | Location-specific, seismic risk |

Final Choice Example:
I would choose solar energy for my town because it’s clean, uses endless sunlight, and helps fight climate change — even if it costs more at first, it pays off in the long run.