In the guide below, we compare natural resources vs man made resources.
We explain the difference between them, and also give some common examples of each.
What Are Natural Resources?
What Are Man Made Resources?
Man made resources are manufactured by humans, usually using raw materials, chemical reactions, and man made processes.
The process used, and the raw materials used, depends on the man made resource being manufactured or produced.
What’s The Difference Between Natural Resources & Man Made Resources?
The key differences between natural resources and made made resources is the involvement of both nature and humans in their formation, and also the processes that form them.
– Involvement Of Nature & Humans In Their Formation
The formation of natural resources happens in nature without the involvement of humans.
Man made resources on the other hand are formed only with the involvement of humans.
– The Processes That Form Them
Natural resources form from natural processes, without modification from humans.
A few examples of this are how fossil fuels are formed over millions of years underground, or how diamonds are formed from natural processes over billions of years, or how ore deposits form from minerals in nature.
Man made resources on the other hand are made from raw materials via man made processes.
One example of this is how plastic polymers are formed via polymerization, using fossil fuel feedstock, and manufacturing the final plastic product to include additives, and other ingredients.
Examples Of Natural Resources
We put together a separate guide we list some of the different categories of natural resources, and also give examples of natural resources under each category.
As a summary, some of the categories and examples of natural resources we listed were:
– Water
Fresh water, and saltwater.
– Minerals & Ores
Such as metals ores
– Fossil Fuels
Coal, oil, and natural gas
– Renewable Natural Energy Resources
Sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal (heat) energy
– Wood
From trees
– Grasses & Plants
Bamboo as a grass, and cotton as a plant
– Soil
Topsoil for example that is used for growing crops and agricultural production
Examples Of Man Made Resources
Some examples of man made resources include, but aren’t limited to:
– Plastic
Plastic is generally made from a fossil fuel feedstock of oil, or natural gas.
Having said that, bioplastics and newer generation plastics have hit the market in more recent years.
Plastic is one of the most commonly used materials across society, and has a number of applications.
Plastic production is also only forecast to increase in the future according to numerous reports.
– Refined Metals
Some of the most common refined metals include metals like steel, and aluminum.
Steel is an alloy, with iron ore being a key component to make pig iron, which in turn is a key raw material of steel
Most aluminum comes from the natural resource bauxite ore (although some aluminum can be made from clay).
– Paper
Paper is made from cellulose, which comes from wood from trees which is turned into woodpulp.
Recycled paper is one example of another form of paper.
– Refined Oils & Fuels
The most common example of a refined fuel is gasoline used in everyday road vehicles like cars.
Crude oil is extracted from oil mining operations, and then oil refineries turn crude oil into a range of petroleum products.
– Polyester
Polyester is one of the most common fabrics used for textiles
– Other Man Made Resources
There’s thousands of other man made resources manufactured and used across society.
Sources
1. Various ‘Better Meets Reality’ guides
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