CONTENT STATEMENT
Physical processes influence the formation and distribution of renewable, nonrenewable, and flow resources (e.g., tectonic activity plays a role in the formation and location of fossil fuels, erosion plays a role in the formation of sedimentary rocks, rainfall patterns affect regional drainage patterns).
CONTENT ELABORATION
Physical processes include internal forces (e.g., folding, faulting, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity) as well as external forces (e.g., mechanical weathering, chemical weathering, erosion, Earth’s tilt and rotation).
Resources are substances drawn from the physical environment that are used to meet human wants (e.g., food, fuel, things of value).
Renewable resources can be replenished if not overused (e.g., trees, fruits).
Nonrenewable resources cannot be replaced once used (e.g., petroleum, coal).
Flow resources must be used as they occur or they are lost (e.g., wind, sunlight).
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Explain how physical processes influence the formation and distribution of renewable, nonrenewable, and flow resources.