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Nuclear Fission
A nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy
active solar energy
energy captured from sunlight with advanced technologies
passive solar energy
Solar energy systems that collect energy without the use of mechanical devices
Control Rods
neutron-absorbing rods that help control the reaction by limiting the number of free neutrons
Fuel cells
an electrochemical cell that uses replenishable substances such as hydrogen or oxygen or water to produce electricity
fossil fuels
Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.
Radioactive
A spontaneous process in which unstable nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation
ionizing radiation
enough energy to dislodge electrons from atoms, forming ions; capable of causing cancer (gamma, X-rays, UV)
Isotopes
Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons
Fission Chain Reaction
when fission is initiated in one of the atoms, it splits and releases more neutrons, which then cause fission in other atoms.
Sort of like falling dominoes.
radioactive fallout
dust that falls to the ground carrying radioactive isotopes from nuclear explosion or accident
radiation sickness
An illness that results from excessive exposure to nuclear radiation
nuclear fusion
a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.
Hydrogen Bombs
Thermonuclear weapons created during the arms race. America developed the first H-bomb in 1957. 67 times as powerful as the 1st atomic bomb.
Castle Bravo
Date: March 1, 1954
Location: Marshall Islands
Hydrogen bomb detonated in air bc of US. Design error
Effect: radioactive material
caused thyroid diseases and birth defects
Partial Test Ban Treaty (1963)
a treaty prohibiting all test detonations of nuclear weapons except underground. It was developed both to slow the arms race (nuclear testing was, at the time, necessary for continued nuclear weapon advancements), and to stop the excessive release of nuclear fallout into the planet's atmosphere.
nuclear fission reactor
a device that permits a controlled chain reaction of nuclear fissions
fuel rods
A cylindrical tube that encloses nuclear fuel within a nuclear reactor
containment building
A safety feature of nuclear power plants that provides an additional line of defense against any accidental leak of radiation.
Three Mile Island
1979 - A mechanical failure and a human error at this power plant in Pennsylvania combined to permit an escape of radiation over a 16 mile radius.
Chernobyl
nuclear power plant in Russia that had an explosion in 1986 & released radioactive materials into the air
meltdown
a dangerous condition in which fuel rods inside a nuclear reactor melt
exclusion zone
an area in the Ukraine immediately surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear power plant where radioactive contamination is highest and public access is restricted.
Fukushima
A city in Japan damaged by the tsunami in 2011; the nuclear power plant released radiation
half life
length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay
net energy yield
Total amount of useful energy available from an energy resource or energy system over its lifetime, minus the amount of energy used (the first energy law), automatically wasted (the second energy law), and unnecessarily wasted in finding, processing, concentrating, and transporting it to users.
Combustion
A rapid reaction between oxygen and fuel that results in fire
coal
A fossil fuel that forms underground from partially decomposed plant material
Coal-Generated Electricity
Once the coal is extracted, its potential energy converted to electricity in a power plant
coal pros
most abundant fossil fuel, large reserves, high net energy yield, cheap to extract
Coal Cons
highest environmental impact, severe land use and disturbance, severe land/air/water pollution, severe human health impacts, high CO2 and CH4 emissions, mercury and heavy metals,
coal ash
ash created in the burning and chemical extraction of coal
petroleum (oil)
Oil in its natural state
Cogeneration
The use of a single fuel to generate electricity and to produce heat
oil extraction
Crude oil is drilled or pumped out of the ground and then refined by heating and separating different components by their boiling points
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
platform exploded, causing history's largest accidental marine oil spill as of mid-2010
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Major tanker accident in Alaska in 1989, that resulted in a major oil spill in Prince William Sound.
oil pros
high net energy yield
lots of uses
easy to transport
creates jobs
Oil Cons
air pollution, oil spills, nonrenewable, human health hazard, releases CO2
Natural Gas
A gas with high methane content, found along with various fossil fuels and is used as a fuel.
natural gas advantages
-ample supplies
-high net energy yield
-emits less CO2 and other pollutants than other fossil fuels
natural gas disadvantage
transportation costs are high
lack of infrastructure, pipelines impact ecosystem, fracking
electricity
A form of energy caused by the movement of electrons.
Kilowatt-hour
a unit of energy equal to the work done by a power of 1000 watts operating for one hour
Hydropower
Electricity generated from the energy of moving water to spin a turbine
Dams
a barrier constructed to hold back water and raise its level, the resulting reservoir being used in the generation of electricity or as a water supply.
wind energy
The energy captured by transforming the motion of air into electrical energy using a turbine
Wind farms advantages
-little pollution
-safe
-cheap to produce energy
-wind is stronger in winter when there is more demand for electricity
geothermal energy
Energy from steam or hot water produced from hot or molten underground rocks.
geothermal energy advantages
Reliable and relatively inexpensive
Pollution free
geothermal disadvantages
- Not many suitable locations
- Cost of building them is high compared to the energy gained
solar energy
energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy
solar energy pros
Renewable
Abundant
Sustainable
Environmentally Friendly
Good Availability
Reduces Electricity Costs
Many Applications
Shared Solar
Silent
Financial Support from Government/State
Low Maintenance
Technology is Improving
solar energy cons
Expensive
Intermittent
Energy Storage is Expensive
Associated with Pollution
Exotic Materials
Requires Space
Parabolic solar collection
involves using curved reflective surfaces that collect light and focus it onto a concentrated point
photovoltaic cell
Solar energy cells, usually made from silicon, that collect solar rays to generate electricity.
Biomass
wood, charcoal, and dung as a source of heat.
Biofuels
like ethanol or biodiesel, are generated from using bacteria or yeast to ferment plant matter.
hydrogen fuel cell
generates electricity by reacting hydrogen with oxygen
energy efficiency
The percentage of energy put into a system that does useful work
