AP Environmental Science Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

A comprehensive list of vocabulary terms related to energy resources and consumption for AP Environmental Science.

Energy

The ability to do work or cause change.

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred or changed from one form to another.

First Law of Thermodynamics

A scientific law stating that energy is always conserved during physical and chemical changes.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

A scientific law stating that when energy is converted, some of it becomes less useful, usually lost as heat.

Entropy

A measure of disorder; in energy conversions, usable energy decreases and disorder increases.

Energy efficiency

The percentage of energy input that is converted into useful output.

Net energy

The amount of usable energy left after subtracting the energy used to obtain, process, and transport that energy source.

Turbine

A machine with blades that spins when moved by water, steam, or wind, helping generate electricity.

Generator

A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Electricity

A form of energy created by the movement of electrons.

Cogeneration

The use of one fuel source to produce both electricity and useful heat.

Peak demand

The time period when the demand for electricity is at its highest.

Fossil fuel

A nonrenewable energy source formed from the remains of ancient organisms over millions of years.

Coal

A solid fossil fuel formed from ancient plant material, used to generate electricity.

Petroleum

A liquid fossil fuel, also called crude oil, used to make gasoline, diesel, and other products.

Natural gas

A gaseous fossil fuel, mainly methane, used for heating, cooking, and electricity production.

Oil sands

A mixture of bitumen, sand, and water that can be processed to produce petroleum.

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking)

A method of extracting natural gas or oil by injecting fluid into rock layers at high pressure to crack them open.

Nuclear energy

Energy released from the nucleus of an atom, usually through fission.

Radioactive isotope

An unstable form of an element that releases radiation as it breaks down.

Fission

The splitting of an atomic nucleus, which releases a large amount of energy.

Uranium

A radioactive element commonly used as fuel in nuclear power plants.

Control rods

Rods in a nuclear reactor that absorb neutrons and help regulate the rate of fission.

Renewable energy

Energy from sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale.

Solar energy

Energy from the sun that can be converted into heat or electricity.

Hydroelectric power

Electricity generated by moving water, usually at dams.

Wind energy

Electricity produced by using moving air to turn turbine blades.

Geothermal energy

Energy derived from heat within the Earth.

Biomass

Organic material, such as wood, crop waste, or manure, used as a fuel source.

Energy conservation

Reducing energy use in order to save resources and lower environmental impact.