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This lesson introduces the main energy resources used by humans for generating electricity and for transport and heating. Understanding these resources and their impacts is a key part of the AQA GCSE Physics specification (Section 4.1).
An energy resource is a source of energy that can be used to generate electricity, power transport, or provide heating. Energy resources are broadly classified as either renewable or non-renewable.
| Type | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Non-renewable | Resources that are used up faster than they can be replaced. They will eventually run out. | Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), nuclear fuel |
| Renewable | Resources that are replenished naturally and will not run out. | Wind, solar, hydroelectric, tidal, wave, geothermal, biofuel |
Exam Tip: Nuclear fuel (uranium) is classified as non-renewable because the supply of uranium is finite and it is not replenished on a human timescale. Do not confuse nuclear with renewable — this is a common exam error.
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