Which term refers to a natural resource that can replenish with time?

Prepare for the IB Design Technology Exam. Study with quizzes, flashcards, and multiple-choice questions. Each question offers hints and explanations to ensure you're ready for your test!

The term that refers to a natural resource that can replenish over time is "renewable resource." Renewable resources are characterized by their ability to regenerate naturally within a human timescale, making them sustainable for ongoing use. Examples include solar, wind, and hydro energy, as well as biomass and water, which can be replenished through natural processes like sunlight, the water cycle, or plant regrowth.

In contrast, non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels and minerals, do not regenerate on a timescale that is practical for human consumption, meaning they can be depleted. Exhaustible resources also do not replenish over human timescales and can be entirely consumed if not managed wisely. Lastly, fossil resources specifically refer to a subset of non-renewable resources formed from the remains of ancient organisms, which also do not renew. Hence, "renewable resource" is clearly the correct term reflecting the capacity for natural replenishment.

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