# Energy resources

Renewable resources (wind, solar, hydroelectric, tidal, biomass) will not run out. Non-renewable ones (coal, oil, gas, nuclear fuel) will.

Physics (school) · Part 03: Energy, work and power · Card 8 of 8 · Last updated 2026-10-19

## Analogy

Renewables are like a river that keeps flowing. Non-renewables are like a bottle that empties.

## In practice

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide. Wind and solar do not, but they depend on weather.

## Practice

### Flashcards

- **Name two renewable energy resources.** Wind and solar (also hydroelectric, tidal, biomass).

## Questions people ask

### What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?

Renewable resources, such as wind and sunlight, are replaced naturally as fast as we use them. Non-renewable ones, such as coal, oil and gas, took millions of years to form and will run out. Fossil fuels also release carbon dioxide, which adds to climate change.

### Why do we still use fossil fuels?

They are cheap, reliable and available at any time of day, and power stations that use them can be switched on quickly. Wind and solar depend on the weather. Many countries are growing renewables while still using fossil fuels until storage and the grid can cope with the changes.

## Related concepts

- [Energy stores and transfers](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/physics-school/physics-school-part-3/physics-school-part-3-concept-1)
- [Conservation of energy](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/physics-school/physics-school-part-3/physics-school-part-3-concept-2)
- [Kinetic energy](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/physics-school/physics-school-part-3/physics-school-part-3-concept-3)
- [Gravitational potential energy](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/physics-school/physics-school-part-3/physics-school-part-3-concept-4)

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