RENEWABLE OR NONRENEWABLE Energy resources are limited and
RENEWABLE OR NONRENEWABLE Energy resources are limited and are either renewable or nonrenewable Renewable Nonrenewable There advantages and disadvantages to using any energy source The use of any energy resource carries an environmental cost that must be weighed against economic benefit
RENEWABLE RESOURCES can be replenished over a short period of time (months, years or decades)---close to the rate at which they are used • Include vegetation, sunlight, and surface water
NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES are replaced very slowly or not at all---takes millions of years to replace. They include fossil fuels which are relatively cheap and easy to use once they are extracted from the earth---but cause pollution. Fossil fuels include oil, natural gas and coal.
1. The solid fossil fuel is COAL (made from swamp plants) Burning coal causes the most pollution and releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which is responsible for global warming. Carbon dioxide (CO 2) and other air pollution that is collecting in the atmosphere traps the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up. Coal -burning power plants are the largest U. S. source of carbon dioxide pollution
Burning coal also causes acid rain when sulfur dioxide (SO 2) is released into the atmosphere Trees killed in the Smokey Mtns.
The liquid fossil fuel is OIL. . Also known as petroleum (made from buried remains of ocean animals and plants) Specific fuels made from oil are gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, diesel fuel, and fuel oil Automobiles are the second largest source of carbon dioxide pollution in the U. S.
The gas fossil fuel is NATURAL GAS Butane (Made from buried remains of ocean animals and plants) Methane, butane, and propane are made from natural gas Methane
RESOURCE NUCLEAR ENERGY ADVANTAGES Uses fission (splitting atoms) to produce large amounts of energy DISADVANTAGES Produces radioactive wastes that stay radioactive for thousands of year Does not release greenhouse gases into Nuclear power plants the atmosphere are very expensive to build
VIRGINIA’S NATURAL RESOUCES INCLUDE: 1. Coal is the most abundant natural resource in Virginia— 30 -40 million tons a year for 1 billion dollars a year 2. Gravel is used in road construction 3. Limestone is used to make concrete 4. Titanium is combined with other metals to make a stronger and lighter metal than steel 5. Silica for electronics
AMAZING EARTH SCIENCE FACTS 1. Virginia resources include limestone, coal & gravel _____________ with Coal (1 billion $$$ a year) _______________being found in greatest abundance renewable 2. The Earth’s Water Supply is ______ but also finite Nonrenewable 3. _________resources are renewed very slowly or not at all coal, oil, natural gas Includes ___________ and minerals Renewable 4. ______ resources can be replaced by nature at a rate close to the rate at which they are used Includes vegetation, water and sunlight
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