Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Fossil Fuel

formed millions of years ago out of plants and animals and is usually from deep underground

Renewable Energy

energy that is more easily replenished

Give examples of renewable energy

wind, sunlight, waves and earth’s heat(geothermal energy)

non-renewable energy

sources of energy that can’t be easily replenished like coal, oil and natural gas

Generator

changes energy from one form to another

Engine

machine that converts chemical energy from burning fuel to motion. Used to make trains, cans and buses go.

Coal

solid fossil fuel that can be burned for energy

Oil

liquid fossil fuel burned for energy. Often used to make gasoline and plastics

natural gas

gas that can be burned for energy. It is often used to heat our stoves and homes.

Ethanol

liquid renewable energy made from plants like corn.

prototype

model developed at the end of the engineering design process.

conservation

act of saving, protecting, or using resources wisely.

Where does geothermal energy come from?

inside the earth

Why are fossil fuels considered non-renewable resources?

they will eventually run out, are not easily renewed, are not alternative energy sources, cannot be replaced fast enough for future use.

What do geothermal power plants use from the earth’s interior to generate power?

heat

What are examples of renewable energy resources?

Sun, wind, water, geothermal, biomass

What natural resource does hydroelectricity use?

water

What are some advantages of using renewable energy?

The recourse will never run out and can be generated day and night

Where does solar energy come from?

sun

What is nuclear energy?

It is a nonrenewable resource, used to generate electricity, the waste from it can damage the environment.

What are some of the disadvantages of using coal?

it pollutes the environment and it might run out

Why is hydroelectric power a renewable energy source?

water does not run out, cleaner energy source, water is replenished by precipitation

What kind of factors do you need to consider when designing something?

time, money, materials

What energy conversion takes place in an electric motor?

electrical to energy of motion