The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Resources are classified into renewable and non-renewable based on their exhaustibility and the time required for their replenishment. Non-renewable resources are those that occur over very long geological time scales and are finite in quantity.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Non-renewable resources have a limited stock. The total quantity available on Earth is fixed and decreases with consumption.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Once the stocks of non-renewable resources are exhausted, they cannot be renewed or replenished within a short period. The formation of these resources takes thousands to millions of years, a duration significantly longer than human life spans. Consequently, they are considered non-renewable.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are primary examples of non-renewable resources. They are fossil fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years.
Key Takeaway
Non-renewable resources are characterized by limited availability and a replenishment cycle that exceeds human time scales (e.g., fossil fuels and minerals), whereas renewable resources can be replenished quickly (e.g., solar and wind energy).