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