Energy Resources Chapter 6 Fossil Fuels Renewable Sources

Energy Resources Chapter 6 Fossil Fuels Renewable Sources of Energy Nuclear Energy Conservation

Fossil Fuels - Vocabulary l l l l Combustion – The burning of a fuel. Fossil fuels – An energy-rich substance (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) formed form the remains of organisms. Hydrocarbons – A compound that contains carbon and hydrogen atoms. Reserves – A known deposit of fuels. Petroleum – Liquid fossil fuel; oil. Refinery – A factory where crude oil is separated into fuels and other products. Petrochemicals –Compound made from oil.

Fossil Fuels – Main Ideas l l A fuel is a substance that provides a form of energy as a result of a chemical change. Energy can be converted from one form to another. The three major fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas. These fuels release more energy when they are burned than most other substances do. Because fossil fuels take hundreds of millions of years to form, they are considered nonrenewable resources.

Fossil Fuels – Review Explain how fuels provide energy. l Name three major fossil fuels and briefly describe them. l Explain why fossil fuels are classified as nonrenewable resources. l List 2 advantages and 1 disadvantage of natural gas as an energy source. l

Renewable Sources of Energy Vocabulary l l l l Solar energy – Energy from the sun. Passive solar system – A method of converting solar energy into heat without pumps or fans. Active solar system – A method of capturing the sun’s energy and distributing it using pumps and fans. Hydroelectric power – Electricity produced using the energy of flowing water. Biomass fuel – Fuel made from living things. Gasohol – A mixture of gasoline and alcohol. Geothermal energy – Heat from Earth’s interior.

Renewable Sources of Energy – Main Ideas l l l Solar energy is plentiful and renewable, and does not cause pollution. However, a backup energy source is needed. Because the sun causes winds and drives the water cycle, wind power and water power are considered indirect forms of solar energy. Biomass fuels, geothermal energy, and hydrogen power are other renewable energy sources that are currently in limited use.

Renewable Sources of Energy – Review Questions What is solar energy? l How are the energy of wind and flowing water related to solar energy? l How are active and passive solar heating systems different? l List 3 examples of biomass fuel. l What limits the use of geothermal energy? l

Nucleus l Nucleus of an atom

Nuclear Energy - Vocabulary Nucleus – The central core of an atom that contains the protons and neutrons. l Nuclear fission – The splitting of an atom’s nucleus into smaller nuclei. l Reactor vessel – The part of a nuclear reactor where nuclear fission occurs. l Fuel rods – Uranium rod that undergoes fission in a nuclear reactor. l

Nuclear Energy - Vocabulary Control rods – Cadmium rod used in a nuclear reactor to absorb neutrons from fission. l Meltdown – A dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a nuclear reactor. l Nuclear fusion – The combining of 2 atomic nuclei into a single larger nucleus. l

Nuclear Energy – Main Ideas Nuclear reactions include fission reactions and fusion reactions. l In a fission reaction, and atom’s nucleus is split into 2 smaller nuclei and two or more neutrons, releasing energy. l In a nuclear power plant, thermal energy released form controlled fission reactions is used to generate electricity. l

Nuclear Energy – Review Questions How can the energy released in a fission reaction be used to produce electricity? l Explain the purpose of control rods. l Give 2 reasons that people have not been able to use nuclear fusion as an energy resource. l

Energy Conservation - Vocabulary Energy conservation – The practice of reducing energy use. l Efficiency – The percentage of energy that is used by a device to perform work. l Insulation – Building material that blocks heat transfer between the air inside and outside. l

Energy Conservation – Main Ideas To avoid an energy shortage in the future, people must find new energy sources and conserve available fuels now. l Insulation keeps a building from losing heat to, or gaining heat from, the outside. l

Energy Conservation – Review Questions What are 2 ways to make energy resources last longer? l Explain how putting insulation in a building conserves energy. l How does carpooling conserve energy? l