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Nonliving Things

Bright blue water rushes through a rocky river surrounded by trees.
POSNOV—GETTY IMAGES

The things on this page are not alive. But they have something in common with living things. Learn how they are different.

Water moves.

Rivers flow (above). Oceans form waves. But water is not alive. It does not move itself.

Electronics need energy.

A smartphone charges while resting on a portable battery pack.
SHISHENG LING—GETTY IMAGES

Phones need energy. But they do not get it from food. They need to be charged.

Crystals grow.

White crystals grow together in a rocky cave.
UNDEFINED UNDEFINED/GETTY IMAGES

This is a gypsum crystal. It forms from the minerals in water. Crystals can get bigger. But they are not alive.