Unit 6 flashcards (apes)

Non-Renewable Resource

A resource that cannot be replenished or regenerated at a rate equal to or faster than its consumption. Examples include fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and minerals (gold, silver, copper).

Nuclear Energy

Type of energy generated through the process of nuclear reactions. It involves the splitting (fission) or combining (fusion) of atomic nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy.

Cons of Nuclear Energy

High cost, potential for accidents, long-lived radioactive waste, limited uranium reserves, risk of nuclear proliferation.

Coal

Fossil fuel formed from ancient plants; used for energy production. High carbon content makes it a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Cons of Coal

Air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, non-renewable resource, mining accidents, habitat destruction, and health risks from mining and burning.

Oil

Formed from ancient marine organisms. Used for transportation, electricity generation, and heating. Finite resource, vulnerable to price fluctuations and geopolitical tensions.

Cons of Oil

Environmental pollution, climate change, finite resources, geopolitical conflicts, and health hazards. Extraction, transportation, and combustion release harmful pollutants, contribute to global warming, deplete limited reserves, cause political tensions, and pose health risks to workers and communities.

Natural Gas

An abundant fossil fuel formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. It is primarily composed of methane and is used as a source of energy for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It is also cleaner burning compared to other fossil fuels, emitting fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants.

Cons of Natural Gas

Finite and will deplete over time. Its extraction and combustion result in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Methane leaks during production and transportation, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Fracking, the method used for extraction, can contaminate groundwater with pollutants.

Renewable Resources/energy

Energy generated from sources that are naturally replenished, such as sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal heat. It provides a sustainable and clean alternative to fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on finite resources.

Biomass

Renewable energy source made from organic materials like plants and animal waste. Can be converted into heat, electricity, or biofuels. Helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste.

Cons of Biomass

Environmental impact, deforestation, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, competition with food production, limited availability.

Hydropower

Renewable energy source that harnesses the power of moving water, such as rivers or dams, to generate electricity.

Cons of Hydropower

Habitat destruction, displacement of communities, and alteration of natural river flow.

Solar power

Renewable energy derived from the sun's radiation, converted into electricity or heat using solar panels or solar thermal systems. It is a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a greener future.

Cons of Solar Power

Dependent on sunlight, making it inconsistent and unreliable as a sole energy source.

Geothermal

Renewable energy source that harnesses heat from within the Earth to generate electricity or heat buildings. Utilizes natural geothermal reservoirs or hot rocks deep underground. Involves drilling wells to access steam or hot water, which is then used to power turbines or directly heat buildings.

Cons of Geothermal

High upfront costs, limited availability of suitable sites, potential for environmental impact, reliance on underground water sources, and the release of greenhouse gases and toxic substances during drilling and extraction processes.

Fracking

A method used to extract natural gas and oil from deep underground by injecting water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure. It can cause environmental concerns such as groundwater contamination, air pollution, and seismic activity.

Pros and Cons of Fracking

Pros - Increased natural gas production, job creation, and energy independence. Cons - Water contamination, air pollution, earthquakes.

Coal Powerplant

A facility that burns coal to generate electricity. It releases carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and climate change. Coal power plants are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and have negative environmental impacts.

Nuclear Powerplant

Generates electricity by harnessing the heat produced from nuclear reactions. Uranium fuel rods undergo nuclear fission, releasing energy in the form of heat. This heat is used to produce steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Hydroelectric Dam Powerplant

A facility that generates electricity by harnessing the energy of flowing water. Water stored behind a dam is released, flowing through turbines that spin generators to produce electricity. It is a renewable and clean energy source, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

Tidal Energy Powerplant

Harnesses the power of ocean tides to generate electricity. Uses turbines that spin as tides flow in and out, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy. Renewable and sustainable source of energy.

Active Solar System

A renewable energy system that uses solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. The panels absorb photons from the sun and generate direct current (DC) electricity. This electricity is then converted into alternating current (AC) through an inverter, making it usable for powering homes, businesses, and other electrical devices.

Passive Solar Home Design

A design approach that maximizes the use of natural sunlight and heat to minimize the need for artificial lighting and heating. It involves strategic placement of windows, insulation, and thermal mass to capture and store solar energy, reducing energy consumption and costs.

Solar Panels

A device that converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells made of semiconducting materials.

Wind Power

Renewable energy generated by harnessing the power of wind through wind turbines. It converts kinetic energy from the wind into electrical energy. Clean and sustainable, wind power helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

Geothermal Powerplant

A power plant that harnesses the heat from the Earth's core to generate electricity. It uses underground reservoirs of steam or hot water to drive turbines and produce clean, renewable energy.

Hydrogen Powered Car

A vehicle that uses hydrogen as its primary fuel source, combining hydrogen gas with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, powering an electric motor and emitting only water vapor as a byproduct. It offers zero greenhouse gas emissions, longer driving range compared to electric cars, and faster refueling times.

Nuclear Fission

Process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy.