Question

different between potential or actual

Answer 1

Those resources whose total available quantity is not known at present are called potential resources.
eg. Africa has great potential for the generation of hydroelectricity. However, they are yet not developed due to lack of suitable technology.
Those resources whose total quantity and quality are at present known are called actual or developed resources.
eg. Wind blowing at a high speed was a potential resource about 200 years ago but today windmills have been installed to harness wind energy which is a developed resource.
Hence, potential resources can be converted into developed resources by using suitable knowledge and technology.