Energy Sources and Mining Techniques

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to energy sources and mining techniques.

Energy

The ability to do work or cause change.

Oil (Petroleum)

A liquid fossil fuel that is the main source of fuel for transportation worldwide.

Uranium

A radioactive element mined for use as fuel in nuclear power plants.

Mountaintop Removal

A mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed to access coal.

Hydroelectric Power

Energy produced by capturing the movement of water to spin turbines and generate electricity.

Passive Solar Heating

Using the Sun’s energy directly to heat buildings without mechanical systems.

Surface Mining

A mining method used when coal is near the surface; large amounts of soil are removed to expose the coal.

Biomass

Energy material that comes from living or recently living organisms such as wood, crops, or animal waste.

Wind Energy

Energy generated from moving air using wind turbines.

Renewable Energy

Energy sources that are naturally replenished in a short amount of time or always available.

Nuclear Fission

A process where a heavy atom splits into smaller atoms, releasing a large amount of energy.

Underground Mining

A method of mining where shafts and tunnels are dug deep underground to reach coal seams.

Solar Panels

Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity using the photovoltaic effect.

Natural Gas

A fossil fuel that produces large amounts of energy with less air pollution than coal.

Nonrenewable Energy

Energy sources that exist in limited amounts and cannot be replaced quickly.

Solar Energy

Energy that comes from the Sun’s radiation.

Fossil Fuels

Energy sources formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals buried over millions of years.

Coal

A solid fossil fuel formed from compressed plant material and the most abundant fossil fuel.

Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)

A process that injects water, sand, and chemicals underground to release natural gas from rock.