Unit 5 ESSH- Recources, Energy, & Mining.

Kinetic Energy

Energy of motion (e.g., wind, moving water, or a rolling ball).

Potential Energy

Stored energy (e.g., chemical energy in fossil fuels, gravitational energy in water behind a dam).

Primary Energy

Directly sourced from nature (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas, uranium, sunlight, wind, water).

Secondary Energy

Converted from primary energy (e.g., electricity, hydrogen fuel).

Solar Energy

Harvested from sunlight using solar panels (photovoltaic cells) or solar thermal systems.

Wind Energy

Generated using wind turbines.

Hydropower

Produced by flowing water (e.g., dams, run-of-river systems).

Geothermal Energy

Uses heat from the Earth’s core (e.g., geothermal power plants).

Biomass Energy

Derived from organic materials (e.g., wood, crop waste, algae).

Tidal and Wave Energy

Generated from ocean tides and waves.

Positive

Low carbon emissions, minimal air pollution, sustainable.

Negative

Can disrupt ecosystems (e.g., dams harm fish populations, wind turbines affect bird migration), require large land areas, and may have visual/noise impacts.

Fossil Fuels

Coal, oil, and natural gas.

Nuclear Fuel

Uranium and plutonium.

Positive

High energy output, well-established infrastructure.

Negative

High carbon emissions (fossil fuels), air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and long-term waste disposal challenges (nuclear).

Preservation

Protecting natural resources and environments from human interference (e.g., establishing national parks, wildlife reserves).

Conservation

Sustainable use and management of natural resources to prevent depletion (e.g., reforestation, water conservation, energy-efficient practices).

Uranium-235 (U-235)

The isotope primarily used in nuclear fission reactions. It is fissile, meaning it can sustain a chain reaction when struck by a neutron.

Uranium-238 (U-238)

More abundant but not fissile. It can be converted into plutonium-239 (Pu-239), another fissile material, in breeder reactors.

Nuclear Fission

The splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus (e.g., uranium-235 or plutonium-239) into smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy and additional neutrons.

Nuclear Fusion

The combining of two light atomic nuclei (e.g., hydrogen isotopes like deuterium and tritium) to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

Impact

Minimal during operation, but manufacturing solar panels involves toxic chemicals (e.g., cadmium, lead). Recycling panels is still developing.

Impact

Low carbon emissions, but wind turbines can harm birds and bats. Noise and visual pollution are local concerns.

Impact

Dams disrupt river ecosystems and fish migration. Reservoirs can flood habitats and release methane (a greenhouse gas) from decaying organic matter.

Impact

Low emissions, but drilling can cause earthquakes (e.g., induced seismicity) and release greenhouse gases trapped underground.

Impact

Burning biomass releases CO₂, but it is considered carbon-neutral if sustainably sourced. Can compete with food crops for land.

Positive

Reduces reliance on fossil fuels, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes energy independence.

Negative

Can have local environmental and social impacts (e.g., land use conflicts, water consumption).

Habitat Destruction

Clearing forests and disrupting ecosystems.

Water Pollution

Acid mine drainage (sulfuric acid leaching into waterways).

Air Pollution

Dust and emissions from heavy machinery.

Soil Degradation

Loss of fertile topsoil.

Human Health

Respiratory diseases for miners (e.g., black lung disease).

Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing)

A method to get oil and gas from underground rock. It involves pumping a mix of water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure to create cracks in the rock. This helps oil and gas move easily to the surface. It can lead to problems like water pollution and minor earthquakes.

Process

Injecting high-pressure fluid (water, sand, chemicals) into rock layers to release natural gas or oil.

Water Contamination

Chemicals can leak into groundwater.

Air Pollution

Release of methane (a potent greenhouse gas) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Water Usage

High consumption in water-scarce regions.

Spills

Oil spills (e.g., Deepwater Horizon) devastate marine and coastal ecosystems.

Habitat Fragmentation

Roads and pipelines disrupt wildlife.

Air Pollution

Emissions of CO₂, methane, and nitrogen oxides.

Sustainable Practices

Crop rotation, organic farming, agroforestry.

Forestry

Sustainable Practices

Reforestation, selective logging, certification (e.g., FSC).

explain how nuclear energy works?

Uranium → Fission → Heat → Steam → Turbine → Electricity → Cooling → Repeat!

what are the 3 types of nuclear radiation?

alpha, beta , gamma

what are the danger from a a loss of control of a slow controlled nuclear reaction?

known as a power excursion is the potential for the reactor core to rapidly overheat. This intense heat can trigger a nuclear meltdown, catastrophic equipment failure, and the release of life-threatening radioactive fallout.