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GCSE Physics · key term
An energy resource that is naturally replenished at least as quickly as it is used, or remains available for the foreseeable future.
Used by Edexcel and OCR
Specification 3.13 · Paper 1
An energy resource that is naturally replenished on a timescale comparable with its use, so it is not expected to run out in the foreseeable future.
Revise: Energy SourcesA renewable resource is replenished naturally on a timescale comparable with its use. Wind, hydroelectricity, tides and sunlight are renewable. Biofuel can also be renewable when new plant or animal material replaces what is used.
Specification P8.2a · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
Revise: Energy sourcesWind is a renewable resource. Moving air turns wind-turbine blades, which drive a generator. Wind power needs no fuel to be burned, but its electrical output depends on wind conditions.
Paper 1, Paper 2
An energy resource that is replenished naturally at least as quickly as it is used on a human timescale.
Revise: Energy Resources and Usage PatternsA renewable resource is naturally replenished at least as quickly as it is used on a human timescale. Biofuel, wind, hydroelectricity, tides and energy from the Sun are renewable. For biofuel, this classification assumes that new biological material is grown to replace what is used.
When asked to compare renewable and non-renewable sources, give a similarity as well as a difference. For example, both can generate electricity, but only renewable resources are replenished on a human timescale.
When classifying a resource, explain whether it is replenished on the timescale on which people use it; do not simply say that renewable resources “do not run out”.
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