Non-Fossil Fuel Resources and Energy Types

This set of flashcards includes key terms and definitions related to non-fossil fuel resources, nuclear power, biomass energy, solar energy, hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, hydrogen fuel cells, and wind energy.

Non-Fossil Fuel Resources

Resources that do not derive from fossil fuels; generally do not release CO2 into the atmosphere.

Nuclear Power

Energy produced by fission of uranium-235 in a reactor, generating heat for steaming water.

Nuclear Fission

The splitting of a large, unstable atom, releasing energy and neutrons.

Chain Reaction

A reaction in which one event causes a series of subsequent events; in nuclear power, this refers to neutrons causing further fissions.

Three Mile Island

Site of a nuclear accident in Pennsylvania, USA in 1979 caused by a water pump failure.

Chernobyl Disaster

A catastrophic nuclear accident in Ukraine in 1986 due to reactor design flaws and operator errors.

Fukushima Disaster

A nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011 caused by a tsunami disabling power supply and cooling systems.

Radioactive Waste

Waste produces from nuclear power that remains hazardous for thousands of years.

Biomass

Organic material that contains stored energy from the sun, often used for fuel.

Ethanol

A biofuel produced by fermenting plant matter, often used in gasoline.

Biodiesel

A renewable fuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats, used in diesel engines.

Photovoltaic Cells (PV Cells)

Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect.

Hydroelectric Power

Energy derived from moving water that turns turbines to generate electricity.

Geothermal Energy

Energy derived from the heat stored within the Earth.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

A device that generates electricity through the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.

Wind Energy

Energy generated by moving air that drives wind turbines to produce electricity.