unit 6 - energy resources & consumption

rate of consumption

rate of use must be at or below rate of regeneration

subsistence fuels

biomass fuels that are easily accessible and uses in developing countries

coal

forms from the pressure of overlying rock and sediment layers

• anthracite is the most valuable form of coal bc of higher energy density

natural gas

decaying remains of biomass

• mostly methane

• considered the cleanest ff since it produces the least air pollutants and CO2

fracking

method of natural gas extraction where sedimentary rock layers (shale) is cracked with pressurized water

fission

nuclear reaction in Uranium-235, where energy is released in the form of heat for electricity

• nonrenewable

• cleaner energy bc it doesn’t release air pollutants

• results in thermal pollution and hazardous solid waste

photovoltaic solar cells

captures light energy from the sun and transforms it directly into electrical energy

active solar energy

use of mechanical/electrical equip. to capture sun’s heat or convert light rays directly into electricity

passive solar energy

absorbing or blocking heat from the sun, w/out use of mechanical/electrical equip

geothermal energy

naturally heated water reservoirs underground are drilled into & piped up to the surface

hydrogen fuel cells

uses hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air to form water and release electricity

biomass

organic matter burned to release heat for homes/cooking

biofuels

liquid fuels created from biomass
ex: ethanol from corn