Renewable Resource - These can regenerate after harvesting, and potentially can be exploited forever. Examples are fresh water, trees, agricultural plants and livestock, and hunted animals.
Nonrenewable Energy - A resource present on Earth in finite quantities, so as it is used, its future stocks are diminished. Examples are metals and fossil fuels.
Biomass Energy - The chemical potential energy of plant biomass, which can be combusted to provide thermal energy.
Fossil Fuels - Organic-rich geological materials, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
Hydropower - A form of renewable energy that relies on flowing or falling water to generate electricity.
Passive Solar Heating - A system of putting the sun’s energy to use that does not require mechanical devices to distribute the collected heat.
Nuclear Fuel - Unstable isotopes of uranium (235U) and plutonium (239Pu) that decay through fission, releasing large amounts of energy that can be used to generate electricity.
Finite - Limited quantity; has definable limits
Infinite - having no limits, boundaries, or end; something that is limitless in quantity
Nuclear energy - The energy released by nuclear fission or fusion.
Wind Energy - The kinetic energy of moving air masses, which can be tapped and utilized in various ways, including the generation of electricity.
Geothermal Energy - Heat in Earth’s crust, which can sometimes be used to provide energy for heating or generation of electricity.
Natural Gas - A gaseous, hydrocarbon-rich mixture mined from certain geological formations.
Energy - The capacity of a body or system to accomplish work, and existing as electromagnetic, kinetic, and potential energies.
Petroleum (crude oil) - A fluid, hydrocarbon-rich mixture mined from certain geological formations.
Tidal Energy - Energy that develops in oceanic surface waters because of the gravitational attraction between Earth and the Moon, and can potentially be used to generate electricity.