Energy

Guiding Question: How are energy resources used?

Sources of Energy

Natural energy sources: they come straight from nature and can be used as they are to make energy, with little or no change to the resource itself.

Wood – A natural material from trees. When you burn it, the chemical energy in the wood turns into heat energy.
Wind – Moving air has energy because it pushes things. When it turns a windmill or turbine, that movement can make electricity.
Water – Flowing or falling water has energy. When it moves through a turbine (like in a waterfall or dam), it can make electricity.

Energy systems or fuels: humans create or refine from the natural resources.

Wind – Collected by machines called wind turbines that turn wind’s movement into electricity.
Solar – Uses special panels that turn sunlight directly into electricity.
Fossil Fuels – Made from old plants and animals underground. People burn them to heat water into steam, which spins turbines to make electricity.
Nuclear – Comes from splitting tiny parts of atoms inside reactors, making heat that turns water into steam to spin turbines.
Hydro – Uses dams built by people to control water flow, so it can spin turbines and make electricity.
Biofuel – Made by processing plants or waste into liquid fuel that can be burned for energy.

Many energy resources → electricity generation.

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