Environmental Science Test- Energy Unit

Write a list of feasible energy saving things people can do to reduce the amount of energy they need in their everyday life. How will it be beneficial and what type of fuel will it conserve?

turn off lights when you leave a room- electricity

plant trees in specific areas around your house to naturally heat/cool your house- heat

use less hot water- heat

switch to LED lightbulbs- electricity

wash clothes in cold water/air dry clothing- heat

carpool- transportation

Choose one of the nonrenewable energy sources we discussed in class and describe the benefit of using it, the negative of using it, and what kind of energy it provides for us.

coal provides affordable, reliable, and constant power that’s available to meet the demand for energy consumption

there is an abundance of coal

produces high carbon emissions which attribute to global warming and climate change

also releases pollutants that negatively effect human health

electric and thermal energy

In a world where people know the dangers of burning coal and gasoline, why don’t countries rely on renewable energy sources to mitigate pollution?

the major reason is that renewable energy has very high upfront costs

renewable resources are not constant sources of energy

In your own words, define renewable energy sources and provide at least three distinct examples. Briefly explain why these sources are considered renewable.

renewable energy sources are naturally replenishing and inexhaustible energy sources

these include sunlight, wind, water, geothermal, and biomass

these sources are considered renewable because they will not runout, are self-replenishing, sustainable, and adundant

In your own words, define nonrenewable energy sources and provide at least three distinct examples. Briefly explain why the use of nonrenewable resources is a concern from an environmental perspective.

nonrenewable energy sources are sources that exist in limited quantities and do not replenish naturally in comparison to human consumption

examples include fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas

the reason the environmental perspective is concerned for the use of these sources is that they release harmful pollutants, contribute to climate change, and damage ecosystems

also these sources are not very energy secure or sustainable

Major areas energy is used for

transportation

cooking

heating

Globally, most energy is generated from what type of source?

fossil fuels

Negatives of burning coal for energy

bad emissions are released when we burn coal

sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and other particles are released leading to acid rain, smog, and respiratory illness

contributes to greenhouse gas emissions

Types of renewable energy

solar- uses the sun

wind- uses the wind

hydropower- uses water

geothermal- uses Earth’s natural heat

biomass- uses organic materials

Benefits of solar energy

significant electricity bill reductions

increased home value

reduce carbon admissions

reduce air pollution

renewable and clean

government incentives

Types of reactions used in nuclear energy generation

fission- when nuclei of atoms split into several parts

fusion- when nuclei fuse together

Negatives of wind turbines

kills birds

noise pollution

inconsistent weather

construction of them causes pollution

habitat destruction

variable energy production

land use

initial cost

Geothermal energy comes from?

Earth’s core

deep inside the Earth

the earth’s internal heat, primarily from the decay of radioactive elements in the planet’s core and crust

Define fossil fuel

a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in geological past from the remains of living organisms

What is fracking?

a process that is used to extract natural gas and oil from from deep underground rock formations

involves drilling wells and injecting a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals into the rock in high pressures which allows the trapped gas or oil to flow freely

What is in the water mixture used in fracking?

water, sand, and a small amount of chemicals

chemicals prevent algae, rust, etc.

What are the risks of fracking?

water quality

spills and leaks of fracking fluid

threaten wildlife

poisin groundwater

pollute surface water

impair wildlife landscapes

Why does fracking need sand?

keeps rock layer open

needed to open the fractures created in the shale rock which allows the gas and oil to flow

Does fracking reduce GHG emissions?

yes

Which nonrenewable energy source produces the most energy?

oil

followed by coal and natural gas

Define renewable energy

energy from a source that is not depleted when used such as wind or solar power

Define energy conservation

the prevention of the wasteful use of energy, especially in order to ensure its continuing availability

Define hydropower

a renewable energy source that utilizes the kinetic energy of moving water to generate electricity

Define wind energy

the energy harvested from the movement of air (wind) and converted into electricity

typically done by using wind turbines