Unit 3.3 and 3.4 Science

Solar Energy

• Greatest impact on earth

• Transformation drives water through the atmosphere and hydrosphere

Nuclear Energy

• Transformed into thermal energy inside earths crust

• This energy drives tectonic plates to move and is the source of volcanic activities

Gravitational potential energy

• Energy is used to produce electricity

• Moon’s GPE is the reason why we have tides

Sun’s solar energy consists…

• Visible light

• Infrared radiation

• Ultraviolet radiation

What energy is visible light converted into when it is absorbed into earth’s surface?

Thermal Energy

What does greenhouse gases include?

Carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and methane

Conduction

The transfer of thermal energy between two substances that are touching

Convection

The transfer of thermal energy by the movement of heated fluid from one place to another

What is the water cycle?

• Condensation releases thermal energy into the atmosphere

• Water returns to the surface through precipitation as rain and snow

• When water absorbs thermal energy, it evaporates from earths surface

Specific heat capacity

The amount of energy required to change the temperature of 1 g of a substance by 1 degree celcius

What is negatively impacted by the increase of radiation exposure?

Terrestrial ecosystems

What is earth’s atmosphere heated by?

The transformation of solar energy and thermal energy

What are some risks that energy transformations include?

Pollutions, emissions, and radiation exposure

What is methane cracking used for?

To produce hydrogen fuel cells while releasing low amounts of carbon dioxide emissions

What have humans learned from past nuclear power plant accidents?

They have learned the importance of safety and are now implementing new safety inspections and safer technologies.

Why are new safety inspections and technologies being implemented in nuclear power plants?

To prevent future nuclear accidents.

What is Canada doing to manage used nuclear fuel?

Canada is trying to safely manage and store nuclear waste.

What does Canadian law require for handling nuclear waste?

Canada must consider safe burial methods that don’t harm living things or the land.

Who does the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) collaborate with regarding nuclear waste?

The NWMO collaborates with First Peoples.

Q: Can the harmful effects of energy transformation be reduced by learning from past mistakes?

Yes. For example, safer technologies and inspections are now in place due to past nuclear accidents.

What is a major takeaway from Topic 3.4 about energy transformation?

Energy transformations benefit humans but also pose risks.

How do humans reduce the risks of energy transformation?

By taking action, using safer technology, and learning from mistakes and each other.

What types of energy contribute to the Earth system?

Solar energy, gravitational potential energy, and nuclear energy.

What type of energy action is used to control many processes that occur in the earth system like wind and weather, tides, and currents, and volcanic and mountain building processes

Transfer energy

What type of energy is not one of the main forms of energy responsible for making major changes in the Earth’s Crust/ Atmosphere?

Electrical energy

What is not included when the types of solar radiation that reaches earths surface?

X-Rays

What are clouds abilities when it comes to solar energy?

Its able to Absorb and reflect

Solar energy that has reached and is outgoing, how much is in the form of infrared radiation?

69%

Greenhouse Effect

Where gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap heat from the sun which keeps the planet warm.

Radiation

The transfer of energy through waves like heat from the sun reaching Earth.

Condensation

When water vapor cools down and changes into water

Evaporation

When water gets heated up and turns into gas

Transpiration

When plants release water vapor into the air through their leaves.

Precipitation

Any form of water that falls from the sky, like rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

What is the transformation when theres a combustion of coal?

Chemical potential energy into thermal energy

Hydroelectric dams are….

Flood vast areas of land and transform GPE into electrical energy and result in the release of methane as plans decay

What type of energy transformation happens in a hydroelectric

Gravitational potential energy → kinetic energy → electrical energy.

What energy conversion occurs in photosynthesis?

Radiant (solar) energy → chemical potential energy.

What energy transformation happens when coal is burned in a steam engine?

Chemical energy → thermal energy → mechanical kinetic energy.

What energy transformation happens in a hydrogen fuel cell?

Chemical energy (hydrogen) → electrical energy.

What is the energy transformation in nuclear fusion technology?

Nuclear energy → electrical energy.

What is methane cracking and what energy does it produce?

Methane cracking transforms chemical energy from methane → chemical energy in hydrogen with low CO₂ emissions.

What type of energy is released and transformed when fossil fuels are burned?

Chemical energy → thermal energy → mechanical or electrical energy.

What energy transformation helped early humans survive in cold climates?

Radiant energy (from fire) → thermal energy.

What is the energy concern in making cement traditionally?

High thermal energy is used → releases CO₂ (a risk of pollution).

How are humans reducing harmful effects of energy transformations?

By developing cleaner technologies (like methane cracking, fusion), recycling, and using sustainable energy sources.

What does Canada do to manage nuclear waste safely?

Implements laws for burial/storage, collaborates with First Peoples, and improves nuclear safety.