Energy Resources

TEKS

6.7: Matter and energy. The student knows that some of Earth's energy resources are available on a nearly perpetual basis, while others can be renewed over a relatively short period of time. Some energy resources, once depleted, are essentially nonrenewable. The student is expected to research and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and solar resources.

VOCABULARY

Forms of Energy (from previous unit):

chemical energy - the energy stored in chemical bonds - Energy stored in a substance and released during a chemical reaction such as burning wood, coal, or oil.

electrical energy - the energy of electricity - The energy associated with electric charges and their movements.

mechanical energy - the energy of moving parts - The energy of motion used to perform work.

nuclear energy - the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom - Energy that comes from splitting atoms of radioactive materials, such as uranium.

radiant energy - the energy of waves; light, sound - Any form of energy radiating from a source in waves.

thermal energy - the energy of heat - The total potential and kinetic energy associated with the random motions of the molecules of a material.

Energy Resources:

Renewable Energy - Energy Resources that can be replaced in a relatively short amount of time, like a human lifetime. These are also known as Alternative Energy Resources as they are alternatives to traditionally used Fossil Fuels.

Non-Renewable Energy - Energy Resources that can not be replaced in a relatively short amount of time, like a human lifetime. Some take up to millions of years to form.

Energy Resource - Any natural resource humans use to generate energy such as natural gas for cooking, wood to burn to keep warm, or wind to generate electricity.

Biomass - Any organic (plant or animal) material which is available on a renewable basis, including agricultural crops and agricultural wastes and residues, wood and wood wastes and residues, animal wastes, municipal wastes, and aquatic plants.

Fossil Fuels - Fuels (coal, oil, natural gas, etc.) that result from the compression of ancient plant and animal life formed over millions of years

Geothermal - The heat energy that is produced by natural processes inside the earth. It can be taken from hot springs, reservoirs of hot water deep below the ground, or by breaking open the rock itself.

Hydroelectric - uses moving water to power a turbine generator to produce electricity

Solar Energy - The radiant energy of the sun, which can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or electricity

Wind Energy - A renewable source of energy used to turn turbines to generate electricity

Nuclear Power - An Non-renewable energy resource that typically uses the energy in Uranium atoms to generate electrical energy. Usually at a nuclear reactor in a process called fission.

Other Vocabulary:

Carbon Footprint - a term used to describe the amount of Greenhouse Gas emissions are caused to an individual's daily activities. Things like driving a car, mowing a lawn, even groceries from the store contribute to your carbon footprint.

Generators - A device that turns mechanical energy into electrical energy. The mechanical energy is sometimes provided by an engine or turbine.

Greenhouse Gas - A gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range, causing the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse Effect - The effect of the Earth's atmosphere, due to certain gases, in trapping heat from the sun; the atmosphere acts like a greenhouse.

Photovoltaic Cells / Solar Cells - A device, usually made from silicon, which converts some of the energy from light (radiant energy) into electrical energy.

Turbines - A device with blades, which is turned by a force, e.g. that of wind, water , or high pressure steam. The mechanical energy of the spinning turbine is converted into electricity by a generator.