Non-Renewable Energy

Fossil Fuels

the remains of ancient organisms that changed into coal, oil, or natural gas

Coal is made up of ________________

carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and varying amounts of sulfur

What is the precursor to coal?

Peat

Peat

organic plant material; can be used as fuel

What is the softest type of coal that has the lowest amount of carbon?

Lignite

What is the coal that is “in-between” and has a medium level of carbon?

Bituminous (also known as soft coal and black coal)

What is the hardest type of coal that is the richest in carbon and burns the cleanest?

Anthracite

What are 4 advantages of coal?

1. Energy-dense

2. Plentiful

3. Cheap

4. Easy to handle and transport

What are 4 disadvantages of coal?

1. Ash is left behind

2. Contains impurities

3. Carbon is released into the atmosphere which contributes to climate change

4. Releases impurities into the air when burned

What habitat is coal formed in?

A swamp

What is the formula for photosynthesis?

Think: Energy + gas + water in ——> Energy + gas + water out

How is coal formed?

300 million years ago, many giant plants died in swamps. This dead plant material accumulated, and over millions of years the plants were buried under water and dirt. When buried deep underground, the peat experienced increasing pressure and temperature, causing it to lose moisture and become more densely packed, eventually turning into coal.

What is oil also known as?

Petroleum and crude oil

How are oil and gas formed?

Tiny sea plants and animals died and were buried on the ocean floor. Over time, they were covered by layers of sand and sediment, which turned into sedimentary rock. Over millions of years, the remains were buried deeper and deeper. The enormous heat and pressure from inside the earth and the rock above turned them into oil and gas.

What are 4 advantages of oil?

1. Energy-dense

2. Cleaner-burning than coal

3. Convenient to transport and use

4. Creates jobs

What are 4 disadvantages of oil?

1. Possibility of leaks when extracted and transported

2. Releases carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere when burned, which contributes to climate change

3. Releases sulfur, mercury, lead, and arsenic into the atmosphere when burned

4. Releases sulfur dioxide; the sulfur dioxide and water turn into sulfuric acid, contributing to acid rain

Electric generator

machine that converts mechanical energy (motion) into electrical energy

What is happening in this picture?

In a coal-fired electric generator, coal is burned to produce heat, which turns water into steam; this high-pressure steam then drives a turbine that spins a generator, creating electricity; the steam is then cooled and condensed back into water to be reused in the process.

What are 4 advantages of natural gas?

1. Contains fewer impurities and therefore emits almost no sulfur dioxide or particulates

2. Emits only 60% as much carbon dioxide as coal

3. Burns cleaner than other fossil fuels

4. Efficient storage and transportation through pipelines

What are 4 disadvantages of natural gas?

1. When unburned, methane escapes into the atmosphere

2. Exploration of natural gas has the potential of contaminating groundwater

3. Risk of explosions due to its flammability

4. Non-renewable resource

Proton

a stable subatomic particle occurring in all atomic nuclei, with a positive electric charge.

Electron

a stable subatomic particle with a charge of negative electricity.

Neutron

a subatomic particle of about the same mass as a proton but without an electric charge, present in all atomic nuclei except those of ordinary hydrogen.

Nuclear energy

The energy within the nucleus of an atom.

Nucleus

The cluster of protons and neutrons in the center of an atom.

Atomic Number

the number of protons in an atom

Atomic Mass (amu)

the number of protons and neutrons

Isotope

Atoms of the same element that have different atomic masses (different number of neutrons)

Radioactive

atoms that emit particles and energy as they decay

Unstable →→Stable

Radiation

The alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays given off in the decaying of unstable nuclei.

Radioactive Decay

When atoms lose alpha particles and become different elements.

Half Life

The amount of time in which half the atoms in a sample decay

Nuclear Fission

A reaction in which the nucleus of a large atom is split into smaller nuclei and energy is released

Nuclear Fusion

a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse (together) to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.

Chain Reaction

process in which the products themselves promote or spread the reaction

Nuclear Reactor

an apparatus or structure in which fissile material can be made to undergo a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear reaction with the consequent release of energy.

Control Rods

“rods” made of cadmium, boron or other elements that absorb neutrons.

Breeder Reactor

a reactor that generates (creates) fuel

Radioactive Waste

Waste that emits larger amounts of radiation.

Fission

1. the splitting of a large atom into smaller ones.

2. reactions do not normally occur in nature.

3. produces many highly radioactive particles

4. the energy released is a million times greater than that released in chemical reactions

Fusion

1. the fusing (putting together) or two or more lighter atoms into a large one.

2. occurs in stars, such as the sun.

3. produces few radioactive particles.

4. the energy released by fusion is three to four items greater than by fission.

What isotope is used for fission in nuclear reactors?

Uranium-235

What is used to start a chain reaction?

A neutron

What is one of the three nuclear disasters, and where was it located?

Three Mile Island near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in March 1979. There was major fuel damage,and radioactive gases and contaminated cooling water filled the containment building. Some radioactivity was released into the atmosphere.

What is the second nuclear disaster, and where was it located?

1986 at Chernobyl in the Ukraine (former Soviet Union). The reactor was built with no containment system. The reactor core was severely damaged and a large amount of radioactivity was released into the environment.

What is the third nuclear disaster, and where was it located?

Fukushima Daiichi in Japan; March 11th 2011. After the earthquake and tsunami there was a core meltdown (heat generated exceeds the heat removed), loss of coolant (the pumps stopped working) which caused it to overheat and therefore there was the potential for the release of radioactive material. Additionally, there were hydrogen explosions at the plants

What are 4 advantages of nuclear energy?

1. Clean energy source

2. Creates jobs

3. Energy-dense

4. Low carbon footprint

What are 4 disadvantages of nuclear energy?

1. Radioactive waste

2. Possibility of nuclear accidents

3. High construction cost to build nuclear power plants

4. Uranium is nonrenewable