APES Unit 6

Nonrenewable Resources

Energy sources like nuclear, coal, oil, and fossil fuels that exist in a fixed amount and cannot be easily replaced.

Renewable Resources

Energy sources such as biomass, hydroelectric, solar, wind, waves, and geothermal that can be naturally replenished at or near the rate of consumption.

Percent Change Formula

Formula to calculate the percentage change between initial and final values:(initial - final) / initial x 100.

Fossil Fuels

Combustible substances like coal, oil, and natural gas formed from decayed plants and animals, used as primary energy sources.

Combustion Process

Chemical process of burning fuel in the presence of oxygen, producing water and carbon dioxide, common in fossil fuel energy generation.

Biofuels

Liquid fuels made from plant matter that can substitute conventional petroleum products, like ethanol and biodiesel.

Nuclear Fission

Process using uranium-235 to generate electricity through splitting atoms, a method employed in nuclear power plants.

Photovoltaic

Solar energy type that directly converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells, releasing electrons upon sunlight exposure.

Hydroelectric Power

Electricity generation method utilizing the kinetic energy of moving water to spin turbines and produce electrical energy.

Hydroelectric Power

Electricity generated by the flow of water from dams or reservoirs to the grid.

Three Gorges Dam

The largest dam in the world located in China, with a significant impact on habitats and water flow.

Positive Consequences of Reservoirs

Benefits of reservoirs include low air pollution, waste generation, and relatively inexpensive electricity.

Negative Consequences of Reservoirs

Drawbacks of reservoirs involve land flooding, river flow disruption, and high construction and maintenance costs.

Geothermal Energy

Heat from the Earth used to generate electricity, as exemplified by Yellowstone National Park's geysers.

Geothermal Energy Process

Involves pumping water underground to produce steam, which turns a turbine to generate electricity.

Positive Consequences of Geothermal Energy

Advantages include no combustion, CO2 emissions, and independence from weather conditions.

Negative Consequences of Geothermal Energy

Challenges include limited accessibility, gas release during drilling, and potential groundwater impact.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

A device that generates electricity through a chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water vapor.

Renewable Energy from Fuel Cells

Hydrogen fuel cells offer an eco-friendly alternative to nonrenewable fuels, producing electricity with water as the only emission.

Wind Energy

Electricity generated from the kinetic energy of moving air through turbines, with both positive and negative consequences.

Energy Conservation

Reducing energy usage to mitigate negative impacts of energy production, achievable through various individual and societal actions.