Download Sources of Energy Notes

Sources of Energy Notes
Energy = Sun is ultimate source of 6 energy
sources.
7 sources = fossil fuels, sun, wind,
hydropower, biomass, geothermal, &
nuclear.
Fossil Fuels = made from dead plants &
animals millions of years ago.
3 types = coal, oil, natural gas
+
 Easy to get
 Know how to
Manage
 Gives lots of
energy
*causes pollution
*we will run out
Nuclear energy = energy from the splitting
of atoms.
+
*efficient
*limited air pollution
*nuclear waste &
meltdowns
*will run out
1) Energy is something that we, and all living
things around us, use every day. The
ultimate source of every energy form is the
sun. There are many sources of energy.
These include fossil fuels, nuclear energy,
wind, water, solar, geothermal energies,
and biomass energy.
2) Fossil fuels are made from the remains of
plants and animals exposed to heat and
pressure over very long periods of time.
Coal, oil, and natural gas removed from
underground are the primary fossil fuels.
Coal is used as a heating fuel. Oil is refined
into gas, oil, and lubricants. Natural gas is
used as a heating and cooking fuel. Solar
energy from the ancient past is stored in
fossil fuels. These fuels are rich in hydrogen
and carbon. Fossil fuels take a very long
time to form and once gone are basically
impossible to replace.
3. Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission
to produce electricity. In nuclear fission
atoms are split apart to form smaller atoms,
releasing energy. The fuel most widely used
is uranium because it easily breaks apart.
Uranium can commonly be found in rocks
but once used up cannot be replaced.
Hydropower = energy from moving water
+
*water is free
*limited pollution
*dams expensive
*hurts wildlife
*most usable
Already dammed.
4) Energy gathered from moving water is
called hydropower. Water moving from a
higher level to a lower level turns turbines
that create electricity. Sources of
hydropower include dams, waterfalls, wave
movement, and tidal movement. Water is
considered free but in order for it to work
the power plant must be near a water
source.
Solar Energy = energy from the sun
+
*sun is free
*won’t run out
*solar panels expensive.
*cloudy weather
5) Solar energy is radiation from the sun.
The energy travels through space and
strikes the Earth. Equipment is used to
convert solar energy into electricity. It can
be very expensive. Solar energy does not
cause pollution and will not run out for
billions of years.
Geothermal Energy = energy from heat
underground.
+
*wont’ run out
*heat is free
*power plants
expensive
*hurts the land
*must be near
thin crust
6) Geothermal energy comes from intense
heat within the Earth, which also produces
springs, geysers, and volcanoes. Steam is
piped to the surface of the Earth and then
turns a turbine in an electric power plant. It
does not produce pollution but can cause
damage to the environment.
Biomass energy & biofuels = energy from
the burning of natural materials (trees,
crops, trash)
+
*often already there
*won’t run out/can
grow more
*limited pollution
*lack of technology
*can cause some
pollution
Wind energy = energy from the uneven
heating of the Earth’s surface
+
 Won’t run out
 Wind is free
*must be near wind
*windmills can break
*windmills expensive
7) Biomass energy & biofuels are energy
that comes from the burning or use of
natural, organic materials. Examples of
biomass material include garbage, trees,
left over crops, animal waste, and paper
products. Biomass materials are burned.
The heat from the burning is used to boil
water, create steam, and then turn a
turbine which creates electricity.
8) Wind is caused by the uneven heating of
the Earth’s surface. The wind’s energy can
be gathered through the use of windmills.
Although wind is free it is not constant.
Windmills must be placed where there is a
constant and strong wind flow. The energy
from the wind turns turbines that create
electricity.