Potential Resources Explained

This question asks us to evaluate two statements, A and B, about potential resources. Let's analyze each statement carefully to determine their accuracy.

Analyzing Statement A: Quantity Unknown

Statement A says: "Potential resources are those resources whose entire quantity may not be known."

• Potential resources are resources that exist in a particular region and have the potential to be used in the future.
• Often, the full extent or exact quantity of these resources is not yet known because they haven't been fully explored, surveyed, or technologically developed for extraction.
• For example, vast reserves of oil might exist deep under the ocean, but their precise quantity is difficult to determine without extensive and costly exploration efforts.
• Therefore, the statement that their entire quantity may not be known is true.

Analyzing Statement B: Current Usage

Statement B says: "These resources are not being used at present."

• By definition, potential resources are those that we *could* use, but currently aren't utilizing.
• They might not be used because the technology required for their exploitation is not yet available, the cost of extraction is too high, or they are simply not needed right now.
• They differ from actual (or stock) resources, which are known quantities that are currently being used.
• Thus, the statement that these resources are not being used at present is also true.

Final Conclusion

Since both Statement A (regarding the unknown quantity) and Statement B (regarding non-current usage) accurately describe characteristics of potential resources, the correct option is that both statements are true.