B: Nonrenewable Energy

Fossil fuel

Fuel developed from biological material that became fossilized millions of years ago (coal, oil, natural gas)

Nonrenewable energy resource

Energy source with finite supply, primarily fossil fuels/nuclear fuels

Nuclear fuel

Fuel derived from radioactive materials that give off energy

Commercial energy source

Energy source that is bought and sold

Subsistence energy source

Gathered by individuals for immediate needs

Cogeneration

Use of a fuel to generate both electricity and heat (improves efficiency)

Primary uses of fossil fuels

Electricity generation, transportation, heating

Anthracite

Least bad kind of coal

Coal

Mined, burned in furnace, steam from burning turns turbine/generates electricity

Crude oil

Liquid petroleum removed from ground

Natural gas

Fossil fuel formed when gasses are exposed to intense heat/pressure over thousands of years, primarily methane

Petroleum

Oil; a fossil fuel found in underground deposits

Fracking

Fractures in rocks are drilled open to release natural gasses/oils that are converted into energy

Nuclear fuel

Fuel derived from radioactive materials that give off energy

Nuclear fission

Heavy atom absorbs neutron and continues splitting into smaller masses, which releases energy

Nuclear fusion

Two light nucleii merge to form a single heavy nucleus, releases massive amounts of energy

Radioactive waste

Material that can’t produce energy but still emits (harmful) radiation