Nonrenewable resources

Crude oil/ Petroleum

A liquid fossil fuel formed from marine organisms that is burned to obtain energy and used in the manufacture of plastics.

Coal

dirtiest burning fossil fuel that we have the largest reserves of

Natural gas

A gaseous fossil fuel formed from marine organisms that is often found above a layer of oil or in shale rock

Reserves

known amounts of material that can PRESENTLY be extracted for a PROFIT

Hydrocarbon

an energy-rich chemical compound that contains carbon and hydrogen atoms

Reclaimation

Returning mined land as closely as possible to its original topography and vegetation cover

Flowback

fluid (polluted water) that returns to the surface with extracted gas

Hydraulic fracking

The process that allows natural gas/oil to be released from the shale rock it's trapped in, using water with added chemicals.

Shale gas or oil

Natural gas or oil occurring within or extracted from shale.

Nuclear fission energy

energy released when the nucleus of an atom divides

Radioactive waste

Nuclear fuel that can no longer produce enough heat to be useful in a power plant but continues to emit radioactivity

Hybrid car

A car that runs on gasoline and electricity

Plug-in hybrid car

A car that you plug in to charge the battery, but also has a gas tank as back-up

Electric car

Car that runs only on an electric charge

Photovoltaic cell

\n Light hits semiconductors & electrons are released/ moved; creating an electric field; one makes up a small part of a solar pan

Solar Panel

formed by photovoltaic (solar) cells strung together in a series

Thermal mass

the ability of a material to absorb and store heat energy

Passive solar heating

uses the sun's energy to heat something directly (buildings, ovens, water)