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What is Natural Gas? Some Natural Resources Are Limited - Class 8 Notes

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025
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Natural Gas, Coal, and Petroleum are the major nonrenewable natural resources. These resources were formed millions of years ago from the dead remains of the living species. Natural gas is a type of fossil fuel made of gases found in nature and the major component of the Natural Gas is methane. Natural resources are things found in nature that people can use. They can be further divided into two types including renewable and non-renewable natural resources.

In this article, we are going to discuss Natural Gas in detail and further we will understand why Some Natural Resources Are Limited in the Earth.

Definition Of Natural Gas

Natural gas is the second largest contributor of the different greehouse gases to the climate. But it is also known as a clean fuel because it does not leave any ash when burned. People use natural gas for heating, cooking, electricity generation, and in different industries. It can also use to run the vehicles. Natural gas is found in the deep inside of the Earth, sometimes with the crude oil in porous sedimentary rocks.

Different Types Of Natural Gas

Before natural gas can be used, it is cleaned to remove things like water. During this process, other useful substances like ethane, propane, butanes, pentanes, and other chemicals are also separated out. These are the four main natural gases. They are the simplest types of gases found in nature as mentioned below.

CompoundDescriptionUses
MethaneSimple gas found in natural gasHeating, making electricity, cooking
EthaneGas used in making plastics and detergentsMaking plastic items, detergents, and fuels
PropaneGas used for heating, cooking, and fuelHeating homes, cooking, powering vehicles
ButaneGas used in lighters and portable stovesFuel for lighters, camping stoves, and heaters

Uses Of Natural Gas

Here are some major uses of the Natural Gas as mentioned below.

  • Electricity generation: Natural gas is the main way we make electricity in the United States.
  • Heating: Natural gas is used to warm buildings, water, and for cooking.
  • Transportation: Natural gas is used as fuel in vehicles, with compressed natural gas (CNG) used in light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles.
  • Industrial: Natural gas is used as a heat and power source in factories, and to make chemicals and plastics.
  • Manufacturing: Natural gas is used to create steam for making things in industries like steel and paper production.

What Is CNG?

CNG stands for Compressed Natural Gas. It is a fuel created by compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its uncompressed volume. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), is natural gas under pressure. It remains clear, odourless, and non-corrosive in nature. It is also a cheaper, greener, and more efficient alternative to the traditional petrol and diesel fuels for vehicles.

Major Charcteristics Of CNG

Here are the Major Charcteristics Of CNG as mentioned below.

  • CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is a cheap, eco-friendly, and safe fuel made from abundant resources.
  • Its mostly contains with methane with a few other gases.
  • CNG cars are less reactive and emit fewer pollutants compared to gasoline cars.
  • They operate similarly to regular cars with spark-powered engines.
  • Natural gas is compressed at stations before use.
  • Benefits of using CNG include lower transportation costs and reduced carbon emissions.

Difference Between CNG vs LPG

Here are the major Difference Between CNG vs LPG as mentioned below.

AspectCNG (Compressed Natural Gas)LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
What It's Made OfMostly methanePropane and butane
Where It Comes FromComes from natural gasComes from refining crude oil or natural gas
How It Is StoredCompressed to a small sizeStored as a liquid under pressure
Common UsesUsed for vehicles and some industriesUsed for heating, cooking, and vehicles
Environmental ImpactProduces fewer emissions than gasoline and dieselProduces fewer emissions than traditional fuels
Storage and HandlingRequires special tanks and refueling stationsRequires special equipment for handling and storage
Ease of TransportNeeds special infrastructure for transportCan be transported more easily than CNG

Some Natural Resources Are Limited

Some resources are renewable. It means they can be replaced over time, like sunlight or wind. Others are non-renewable including coal and oil. They can not be replaced because they took millions of years to form. Here are some major factors why Some Natural Resources Are Limited and we have to save them.

  • Natural resources like oil, gas, and minerals take millions of years to form.
  • They come from processes like decomposition, volcanoes, and movements in the Earth's crust.
  • These processes are slow and we only have limited amounts of these resources.
  • Things like climate, land, and soil quality affect what resources are available.
  • Pollution and climate change make these problems worse by reducing the amount of usable resources.
  • Humans are using up resources faster than ever because of things like factories, cities, and more people.
  • This is causing damage to forests, oceans, and mineral deposits that can't be fixed easily.
  • Technology helps us get resources out of the ground faster, but it also hurts the environment.
  • Money also plays a big role. When more people want something, its price goes up. This can lead to fights over resources.
  • Companies often care more about making quick money than saving resources for the future.

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