They can be replenished naturally within a human lifespan.
Explanation
Natural resources are broadly classified into renewable and non-renewable resources based on their exhaustibility and the time required for their replenishment relative to human consumption.Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement Their rate of formation is extremely slow compared to human consumption. is Correct: Non-renewable resources, such as minerals and fossil fuels, are formed over geological time scales. Consequently, their rate of formation is negligible compared to the rapid rate of human consumption.
- Statement They can be replenished naturally within a human lifespan. is Incorrect: Non-renewable resources take thousands to millions of years to form. They cannot be replenished or reproduced within a human lifespan. Resources that are replenished naturally within a short timeframe (e.g., solar energy, wind, water) are classified as renewable resources.
- Statement They include exhaustible energy sources like coal and petroleum. is Correct: This category includes exhaustible energy sources such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, which have limited reserves.
- Statement Their distribution is uneven across the earth's surface. is Correct: The distribution of these resources depends on physical factors like terrain, climate, and altitude. Since these factors differ largely over the earth, the distribution of resources is uneven.
Key Takeaway: Non-renewable resources are defined by their finite stock and the fact that their formation occurs over geological ages, making immediate replenishment impossible once exhausted.