Renewable vs. Non-renewable Energy GK Quiz – 50 Essential Questions
Energy powers our world, coming from sources that either replenish naturally or are finite. Renewable energy—like solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass—is continuously renewed by nature and produces minimal greenhouse gases. Non-renewable energy—such as coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuel—exists in limited supply and often leads to greater environmental impact. Understanding the characteristics, advantages, and challenges of each type is key to addressing climate change, sustainability, and future energy security. Test your knowledge with this 50-question quiz on renewable vs. non-renewable energy!
Renewable vs. Non-renewable Energy GK Quiz
1. Which of the following is a renewable energy source?
- A. Coal
- B. Oil
- C. Solar
- D. Natural Gas
2. Which is a non-renewable resource?
- A. Wind
- B. Biomass
- C. Coal
- D. Hydro
3. Which energy source relies on the sun’s heat stored underground?
- A. Geothermal
- B. Biomass
- C. Nuclear
- D. Coal
4. Which of these emits the highest CO₂ per unit of energy?
- A. Natural Gas
- B. Coal
- C. Oil
- D. Biomass
5. Which technology converts sunlight directly into electricity?
- A. Wind Turbine
- B. Photovoltaic Panel
- C. Hydroelectric Dam
- D. Fuel Cell
6. Which energy source uses flowing water to generate power?
- A. Wind
- B. Hydro
- C. Geothermal
- D. Solar
7. Which fuel is used in most conventional nuclear reactors?
- A. Uranium
- B. Thorium
- C. Plutonium
- D. Radium
8. Which is the fastest-growing source of electricity globally?
- A. Coal
- B. Wind
- C. Oil
- D. Nuclear
9. Which energy source involves burning organic material?
- A. Biomass
- B. Hydro
- C. Solar
- D. Wind
10. Which fossil fuel is liquid at room temperature?
- A. Coal
- B. Natural Gas
- C. Oil
- D. Uranium
11. Which country leads in solar power capacity?
- A. USA
- B. India
- C. China
- D. Germany
12. Which process splits atoms to release energy?
- A. Fusion
- B. Fission
- C. Combustion
- D. Photosynthesis
13. Which energy type uses tides to produce electricity?
- A. Wave
- B. Tidal
- C. Hydro
- D. Wind
14. Which gas is often used in fuel cells?
- A. Oxygen
- B. Hydrogen
- C. Nitrogen
- D. Methane
15. Which technology stores energy chemically in cells?
- A. Battery
- B. Turbine
- C. Reactor
- D. Dam
16. Which is considered cleanest among fossil fuels?
- A. Coal
- B. Oil
- C. Natural Gas
- D. Peat
17. Which renewable source requires no motion to generate power?
- A. Wind
- B. Solar
- C. Tidal
- D. Wave
18. Which energy source is the most abundant fossil fuel?
- A. Coal
- B. Oil
- C. Natural Gas
- D. Uranium
19. Which form of solar power uses mirrors to focus sunlight?
- A. Photovoltaic
- B. Passive Solar
- C. Concentrated Solar
- D. Thermal Mass
20. Which non-renewable fuel is a gas at atmospheric pressure?
- A. Oil
- B. Coal
- C. Natural Gas
- D. Uranium
21. Which renewable source uses organic waste?
- A. Geothermal
- B. Biomass
- C. Solar
- D. Nuclear
22. Which process combines hydrogen atoms for energy?
- A. Fission
- B. Fusion
- C. Combustion
- D. Electrolysis
23. Which energy generates power from plant decay?
- A. Hydro
- B. Biomass
- C. Wind
- D. Geothermal
24. Which non-renewable source powers most cars today?
- A. Electricity
- B. Natural Gas
- C. Oil (Petrol)
- D. Hydrogen
25. Which energy transition term describes shift from fossil to renewables?
- A. Green Revolution
- B. Energy Transition
- C. Industrialization
- D. Electrification
26. Which renewable source can operate day and night if conditions allow?
- A. Wind
- B. Solar
- C. Biomass
- D. Tidal
27. Which form of solar uses heat exchangers and steam turbines?
- A. Photovoltaic
- B. Concentrated Solar
- C. Passive Solar
- D. Biomass
28. Which non-renewable source is used in jet engines?
- A. Natural Gas
- B. Kerosene (Oil)
- C. Uranium
- D. Coal
29. Which renewable source is most variable and requires storage?
- A. Biomass
- B. Hydro
- C. Wind
- D. Geothermal
30. Which non-renewable energy is formed from ancient marine organisms?
- A. Coal
- B. Oil
- C. Natural Gas
- D. Uranium
31. Which technology converts kinetic energy of wind?
- A. Turbine
- B. Solar Panel
- C. Dam
- D. Reactor
32. Which renewable source uses deep-sea temperature differences?
- A. Tidal
- B. Ocean Thermal (OTEC)
- C. Wave
- D. Hydro
33. Which non-renewable source powers most electricity plants?
- A. Oil
- B. Natural Gas
- C. Coal
- D. Uranium
34. Which renewable energy can be harnessed from ocean waves?
- A. Tidal
- B. Wave
- C. Hydro
- D. Geothermal
35. Which non-renewable source supplies fuel for ships?
- A. Coal
- B. Natural Gas
- C. Oil
- D. Uranium
36. Which renewable source has lowest land footprint per MWh?
- A. Solar
- B. Wind
- C. Hydro
- D. Geothermal
37. Which fuel cycle produces long-lived radioactive waste?
- A. Coal Combustion
- B. Oil Refining
- C. Nuclear Fission
- D. Biomass Gasification
38. Which renewable source can power homes off-grid easily?
- A. Wind Turbine
- B. Solar PV
- C. Hydro Dam
- D. Biomass Plant
39. Which non-renewable energy is extracted via fracking?
- A. Coal
- B. Oil
- C. Natural Gas
- D. Uranium
40. Which renewable source often requires dams?
- A. Solar
- B. Wind
- C. Hydro
- D. Biomass
41. Which non-renewable energy’s reserves are measured in “proven” categories?
- A. Uranium
- B. Coal
- C. Oil
- D. All of the above
42. Which energy source uses anaerobic digestion?
- A. Geothermal
- B. Biomass
- C. Wind
- D. Solar
43. Which renewable energy is converted by electrolyzing water?
- A. Hydrogen Fuel
- B. Methane
- C. Ethanol
- D. Biodiesel
44. Which non-renewable energy is used in fast breeder reactors?
- A. Uranium-235
- B. Thorium-232
- C. Plutonium-239
- D. Radon
45. Which form of renewable energy harnesses Earth’s internal heat?
- A. Biomass
- B. Geothermal
- C. Solar
- D. Tidal
46. Which non-renewable source powers spacecraft?
- A. Hydrazine
- B. Solar
- C. Natural Gas
- D. Wind
47. Which renewable source contributes to base-load power?
- A. Wind
- B. Solar
- C. Hydro
- D. Tidal
48. Which non-renewable energy uses fractional distillation?
- A. Coal
- B. Oil
- C. Natural Gas
- D. Uranium
49. Which renewable source is used in Iceland for heating?
- A. Biomass
- B. Geothermal
- C. Solar
- D. Wind
50. Which energy type requires rare earth elements for magnets?
- A. Wind Turbine
- B. Hydro
- C. Solar PV
- D. Biomass