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Biomass

The primary energy source in less developed countries, often used for cooking and heating.

Advantages of Biomass

Renewable, reduces waste, locally available.

Disadvantages of Biomass

Deforestation, air pollution, less energy-dense than fossil fuels.

Percent of a Total Calculation Formula

(Part/Total)×100.

Positive Correlation

Means that as one variable increases, the other also increases.

Percent Increase Calculation Formula

((New Value−Old Value)/Old Value)×100.

Cooling System Failure

Most likely malfunction in a nuclear power plant, leading to overheating and meltdown.

Electrical Generation Process in Nuclear Power

Nuclear fission → Heat → Boils water → Steam spins turbine → Generator produces electricity.

Peat Formation

Partially decomposed plant material accumulates in wetlands as the early stage of coal formation.

Cogeneration

Using waste heat from electricity generation to heat buildings or produce more power.

Advantages of Biofuels

Renewable, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Disadvantages of Biofuels

Can compete with food production, land use issues.

Advantages of Nuclear Energy

No CO₂ emissions, high energy output.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy

Radioactive waste, risk of meltdowns.

Advantages of Solar Energy

Renewable, no emissions, low operating costs.

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

Expensive to install, intermittent energy production.

Economic Benefits of Dams

Provides electricity, controls flooding, supports irrigation, tourism.

Classification of Energy Sources

Renewable: Solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass. Nonrenewable: Coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear.

What is Fracking?

Injecting water, sand, and chemicals into rock layers to extract natural gas or oil.

Advantages of Fracking

Increases domestic energy supply, lowers fuel costs.

Disadvantages of Fracking

Contaminates groundwater, causes earthquakes.

Three Main Sources of Commercial Energy

Oil, coal, natural gas.

Advantages of Hydroelectric Power

Renewable, low emissions, controls flooding.

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Power

Disrupts ecosystems, expensive to build.

Passive Solar Heating

Using building design to absorb and store heat, reducing energy use and lowering heating costs.

Cooling Towers in Power Plants

Release water vapor to regulate heat, not pollution.

Coal vs. Nuclear Power Plants

Coal emits CO₂, sulfur dioxide, ash; nuclear produces radioactive waste but no CO₂.

Nuclear Fission

Splitting atoms used in power plants.

Nuclear Fusion

Combining atoms, not yet commercially viable.

Natural Gas vs. Oil

Natural gas burns cleaner and produces less CO₂.

Advantages of Geothermal Energy

Renewable, low emissions, efficient.

Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy

Location-dependent, expensive drilling.

Stages of Coal Formation

Peat → Lignite → Bituminous → Anthracite.

Green Revolution Effects

Increased food production but led to soil degradation and pesticide use.

MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield)

The largest amount of a resource that can be harvested without depleting it.

Impervious Surface Meaning

Surfaces that do not absorb water, increasing runoff and flooding.

Causes of Algal Blooms

Excess nutrients from fertilizers and sewage.

What is an Aquifer?

Underground water storage in porous rock.

Mountaintop Removal Mining

Removing mountaintops to access coal, causing deforestation and water pollution.

Ways to Encourage Sustainable Forest Use

Selective logging, reforestation, reducing paper waste.