Natural Resources and Energy Types

Flashcards about natural resources, energy types, and energy generation methods, including renewable and nonrenewable resources.

Non Renewable Energy

Energy that does not come back in a human's lifetime.

Coal

Fossil fuel made from the prehistoric remains of organic material.

Advantages of Coal

Generates energy all of the time; inexpensive and abundant

Disadvantages of Coal

Nonrenewable; harmful to environment; produces carbon emission, contributing to climate change (air pollution)

Oil

Fossil fuel made from the prehistoric remains of organic material.

Advantages of Oil

Generates energy all of the time; easy to transport

Disadvantages of Oil

Nonrenewable; harmful to environment; produces carbon emission

Natural Gas

Fossil fuel made from the prehistoric remains of organic material.

Advantages of Natural Gas

Generates energy all of the time; cleaner than other fossil fuels; can be recycled from municipal waste (trash)

Disadvantages of Natural Gas

Nonrenewable; harmful to environment; produces carbon emission

Coal pollutants

Produces air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2); can produce acid rain

Methane

Can be captured and recycled from landfills and municipal waste.

Gasoline and diesel engines

Release air pollutants such as nitrous oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO)

Nuclear

Energy generated from splitting uranium atoms.

Nuclear Fission

Splitting atoms

Nuclear Fusion

Combining atoms

Advantages of Nuclear Energy

Generates energy all of the time; produces a large amount of energy; No carbon emissions

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy

Nonrenewable; requires uranium ore fuel; produces radioactive waste

Renewable Energy

Energy That Replenishes Each Day

Solar

Energy generated from the sun. Photons are collected using photovoltaic cells (light energy) or from passive solar (heat energy).

Advantages of Solar Energy

Free and produces no waste or pollution; Requires no fuel

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

Expensive to build; Produce low amounts of energy; Only generates energy with sunlight

Hydroelectric

Energy generated from the flow of moving water.

Advantages of Hydroelectric Energy

Free and produces no waste or pollution; Requires no fuel; Generates a large amount of energy

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

Expensive to build; Must have specific location; Can harm Wildlife; Can be unreliable during drought

Wind

Energy generated from the force of moving wind. Wind turns a turbine to generate electricity.

Advantages of Wind Energy

Free and produces no waste; Requires no fuel

Disadvantages of Wind Energy

Produce low amounts of energy; Only generates energy when wind blows; Can harm wildlife; Noise pollution

Geothermal

Energy generated from heat deep within the earth.

Advantages of Geothermal Energy

Free and produces no waste or pollution; Generates energy all of the time

Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy

Expensive to build; Must have specific location (near hotspots)

Biofuel

Energy generated from the combustion (burning) of organic material. Biomass = any organic material. Biofuel = organic material + science.

Advantages of Biofuel

Can replace oil in cars; Inexpensive

Disadvantages of Biofuel

Produces some carbon emission; Produces low amounts of energy

Coal In Virginia

Virginia’s main source of energy and most valuable energy resource.

Hydroelectric in Virginia

Virginia can use renewable energy in the James River and Chesapeake Bay.

Wind in Virginia

Virginia can use renewable energy in the Appalachian Mountains.