Post on 17-Jan-2016
Energy Resources Notes
Nonrenewable resources
• A natural resource that is not replaced as it is used
• May take millions of years to form
• Includes oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy
Oil• A type of fossil fuel that is a thick black liquid
• Formed millions of years ago
• Most is found underground
Coal• A type of fossil fuel that is in
solid form
• Been used for thousands of years
• Used to fuel electric power plants
• Used to burn for heat.
Natural Gas
• A type of fossil fuel
• A mixture of methane and other gases
• Found underground
Nuclear Energy
• Energy converted during nuclear reactions
• Comes from energy stored in the nucleus of atoms
Renewable Resources• A source that is naturally replaced in a short amount of time or through a cycle
• Examples: biomass, hydropower, and hydrogen
Biomass
• Living or formerly living material
• Can be made into fuel
Hydropower• Power that is produced by flowing water moving over a waterfall or dam
• The most widely used source of renewable energy
Hydrogen Gas• It is obtained from water – breaking the H & O bonds.
• A fuel that burns cleanly, with water as the byproduct
Perpetual (Inexhaustible) Resources
• A resource that exists in such a large supply that it is considered limitless
• Includes solar power, wind power, and geothermal energy
Solar Power
• Energy from the sun
• The source of most renewable energy sources
• Does not cause pollution
Wind Power
• Used to turn a turbine and generate electricity
• Fastest-growing energy source
• Does not cause pollution
Geothermal Energy
• Occurs when magma heats underground water
• Steam and hot water are used to generate electricity