Natural Resources, Energy Types and Gota Fría Weather Effects

Natural Resources and Their Types

Natural resources are the total quantities of materials in the soil that can have economic value. These may include:

Non-renewable Resources

Non-renewable: once exhausted, they are gone forever; examples include geological resources.

Renewable Resources

Renewable: can be replaced at the same rate they are consumed. Some resources may cease to be renewable if they are overexploited, as can happen with animal or plant species.

Energy Types

Energy sources and types include:

Solar Energy

Solar: The Sun delivers electromagnetic radiation to Earth. It is a source of energy that humans can use directly with solar capture systems such as solar panels.

Photovoltaic Energy

Photovoltaic energy: Panels are composed of semiconductor devices similar to diodes. When they receive solar radiation, electrons are excited and move, generating a small potential difference across the cell. Connecting several of these photovoltaic cells in series produces higher voltages in simple and suitable configurations to power small electronic devices.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy: It uses high-temperature water from springs or water accessed through wells to harness the Earth's internal heat.

Energy from the Oceans

Ocean energy: Almost all ocean energy comes from the movement of seawater and from temperature differences between different layers of water.

Nuclear Fission Energy

Nuclear fission: Nuclear energy can be obtained when mass is converted into energy. Fission breaks down some large atomic nuclei and releases energy. Scientists have been able to control nuclear fission to generate large amounts of electricity.

Fusion Energy

Fusion energy is based on the union of light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy. It does not produce long-lived radioactive waste, but the technological complexity is great.

Gota Fría (Cold Drop)

Gota fría: This is a mass of warm, humid air that rises high and then cools rapidly, causing large atmospheric disturbances. It produces heavy rains with intense electrical activity, hail, and strong winds. It is a typical phenomenon in the Mediterranean, where sea waters can be much warmer than the mainland, creating strong atmospheric instability (warm water evaporates faster). This instability generates intense rainfall affecting the nearby coast.

Summary:

• Natural resources include renewable and non-renewable types, each with economic value.
• Energy sources span solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, ocean, nuclear fission, and fusion.
• Gota fría is a Mediterranean weather phenomenon that triggers extreme precipitation and storms.