Non-Fossil Fuel Energy Resources

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to non-fossil fuel energy resources, including nuclear power, biomass, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, hydrogen cells, and wind energy.

Non-Fossil Fuel Resources

Energy sources that do not rely on the combustion of fossil fuels and generally do not release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Nuclear Fission

The process of splitting a large, unstable atom into smaller atoms, releasing energy in the form of heat.

Uranium-235

A fissile isotope used as fuel in nuclear reactors.

Chernobyl Disaster

A catastrophic nuclear accident in 1986 due to a flawed reactor design, resulting in significant radiation release and long-term health effects.

Biomass Energy

Energy produced from organic materials, such as plants and waste, containing stored energy from the sun.

Ethanol

A biofuel made by fermenting plant materials, often blended with gasoline.

Photovoltaic Cells (PV Cells)

Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity by freeing electrons within a semiconductor material.

Hydroelectric Power

Electricity generated by using moving water to turn turbines, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Geothermal Energy

Energy harnessed from the heat stored within the Earth, used to produce steam to generate electricity.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

A technology that generates power by combining hydrogen with oxygen, producing water as a byproduct.

Wind Energy

Energy produced by converting the kinetic energy of moving air into mechanical energy, then into electricity.