Final answer:
Non-metallic resources have a range of uses including the vulcanization of rubber, the production of sulfuric acid, and various commercial applications of radioactive materials such as film and sheet thickness measurement, structural flaw detection, pest control, and food preservation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Non-metallic resources are commonly used in a variety of applications that include the production of commercial goods, industrial processes, and pest control measures. For instance, sulfur is utilized in the production of rubber through a process called vulcanization which was first discovered by Charles Goodyear in 1839, making the rubber more flexible, elastic, and resistant to temperature changes. Additionally, sulfur is essential for manufacturing sulfuric acid, which is a key component in numerous chemical processes.
Meanwhile, radioactive materials, which comprise another group of non-metallic resources, have commercial applications as diverse as determining the thickness of films and thin metal sheets by exploiting the penetration power of radiation. They are also used for detecting flaws in structural metals with high-energy gamma rays, sterilizing male flies in pest control, and irradiating food to extend shelf life by killing spoilage-causing microorganisms.
It is important to note, however, that many of these non-metallic resources contrast with renewable resources, as some non-metals like uranium used in nuclear power are considered nonrenewable resources and can be depleted over time.