Untitled Flashcards Set

I’ll keep the answers concise but informative for your study guide. Here’s what you need:

Module 39

1. Biomass – Organic material from plants and animals used as energy (e.g., wood, crop waste, manure).
   Charcoal – A solid fuel made by heating wood in low oxygen; burns hotter and cleaner than wood.

2. Fig 39.1 – Shows different types of biomass energy, including wood, charcoal, and manure, and their uses in heating, cooking, and electricity production.

3. Particulates – Tiny solid or liquid particles in the air from combustion (can cause respiratory issues).
   Carbon Monoxide (CO) – A colorless, odorless gas from incomplete combustion, harmful when inhaled.
   Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) – Gases from burning fossil fuels; contribute to smog and acid rain.
   VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) – Organic chemicals that evaporate easily and contribute to air pollution.
   Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) – A greenhouse gas from burning fuels; contributes to climate change.

4. Manure – Animal waste used as fertilizer or fuel.
   Fig 39.2 – Shows manure being dried and burned for cooking, which releases pollutants but provides a renewable energy source.

5. Biofuels – Liquid fuels from biomass (e.g., ethanol, biodiesel).
   Ethanol – An alcohol-based fuel from fermenting plants like corn and sugarcane.
   Biodiesel – A diesel alternative from vegetable oils or animal fats.

6. Top ethanol producers – United States and Brazil.

7. Biodiesel sources – Made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or algae.
   Fig 39.3 – Shows the biodiesel production process from plant oils to fuel.

8. Passive solar – Uses building design (e.g., windows, insulation) to collect and distribute solar heat without mechanical systems.
   Fig 39.4 – Illustrates how passive solar design reduces heating and cooling costs.

9. Active solar – Uses mechanical devices (e.g., solar panels, pumps) to convert sunlight into usable energy.
   Fig 39.5 – Shows how solar panels collect sunlight and convert it to electricity.

10. Fig 39.6 – Passive solar because it relies on design features like south-facing windows and thermal mass to absorb and store heat.

11. Photovoltaic cells – Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductors.
    Fig 39.7 – Explains how solar panels generate electricity.

12. Do the Math – Solve the thermal energy problem by following the given example.

13. AP Exam Tip – Focuses on understanding solar energy concepts.
    Fig 39.8 – Shows a solar-powered device or system.

14. Active solar pros & cons:
    ✅ Renewable & reduces electricity bills
    ✅ No greenhouse gas emissions
    ❌ Expensive installation
    ❌ Sunlight availability varies

15. Hydroelectricity – Electricity from moving water (e.g., dams, rivers).
    Run-of-river system – Diverts river water through turbines without large reservoirs.

16. Water impoundment – Storing water behind a dam for controlled electricity generation.
    Fig 39.9 – Shows a hydroelectric dam.

17. Tidal energy – Power from ocean tides moving turbines.
    Siltation – Buildup of sediments in reservoirs, reducing efficiency.

18. AP Exam Tip – Likely about hydroelectric power efficiency.
    Fig 39.11 – Shows tidal or hydroelectric power generation.

Module 40

19. Fig 40.2 – Likely a geothermal or renewable energy system.

20. Ground source heat pumps – Use stable underground temperatures for heating/cooling.
    Fig 40.3 – Shows how heat pumps transfer heat between buildings and the ground.

21. Fuel cell – A device that generates electricity through a chemical reaction (hydrogen + oxygen → electricity + water).
    Fig 40.4 – Explains fuel cell operation.

22. Electrolysis – Process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

23. Hydrogen fuel pros & cons:
    ✅ Clean emissions (only water)
    ✅ High energy efficiency
    ❌ Expensive production
    ❌ Hydrogen storage is challenging

Module 41

24. Wind energy – Electricity from wind-powered turbines.
    Fig 41.1 – Shows a wind farm or turbine.

25. Fig 41.2 – The U.S. ranks 2nd in wind energy (behind China). Wind accounts for about 10% of U.S. electricity.

26. Wind turbine – A device that converts wind energy into electricity.
    Fig 41.3 – Shows turbine structure and power generation.

27. Wind energy pros & cons:
    ✅ Renewable & no emissions
    ✅ Low operational costs
    ❌ Intermittent (depends on wind)
    ❌ Can impact wildlife (e.g., birds, bats)

28. Energy conservation methods (from Table 41.1):

• Use energy-efficient appliances

• Improve home insulation

• Reduce unnecessary electricity use

29. Phantom loads – Energy consumed by electronics when turned off but still plugged in.
    Peak demand – Times of highest electricity use, straining power grids.

30. Fig 41.5 & 41.6 – Likely show energy conservation strategies or power grid demand patterns.

31. Passive solar design – Uses building features like windows and materials to naturally heat/cool.
    Fig 41.7 – Illustrates passive solar principles.

32. Thermal mass – Materials (e.g., concrete, brick) that store heat and release it slowly.
    Fig 41.8 – Shows how thermal mass regulates temperature.

33. Do the Math – Solve the TV energy problem by applying the given method.

34. Table 41.2 – Read and focus on pros, cons, and emissions of different energy sources.

35. Smart grid – A modern electricity network that adjusts supply based on real-time demand, improving efficiency.

This should help you study efficiently! Let me know if you need any details expanded.

1. Largest user of energy – The United States is one of the largest consumers of energy, primarily from fossil fuels.

2. 2nd Law of Thermodynamics – Energy transfer is inefficient; some energy is always lost as heat during conversion.

3. Cogeneration – The process of using waste heat from electricity generation to heat buildings or water, improving efficiency.

4. Hybrid-electric car – Uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, switching between them for fuel efficiency.

5. Mass transit efficiency – Moves many people using less energy per person compared to individual cars.

Biomass & Biofuels

6. Solid biomass examples – Wood, charcoal

7. Liquid biomass examples – Ethanol, biodiesel

8. Advantages of biomass – Renewable, reduces waste

9. Disadvantages of biomass – Can cause deforestation, air pollution

10. Cow manure as fuel – Burns away nutrients needed for soil fertility.

11. 3 common biofuels – Ethanol, biodiesel, methanol

12. Carbon neutral biofuels – The CO₂ released is reabsorbed by plants during photosynthesis.

13. Ethanol source – Corn, sugarcane

14. Gasohol – A blend of gasoline & ethanol (usually 10% ethanol).

15. Flex-fuel E85 – 85% ethanol, 15% gasoline fuel blend for flex-fuel vehicles.

16. Ethanol advantages – Renewable, reduces fossil fuel use

17. Ethanol disadvantages – Lower energy content than gasoline, competes with food supply

18. Biodiesel source – Vegetable oils, animal fats, algae

19. Palm oil & deforestation – Replacing forests with palm plantations destroys biodiversity & increases CO₂ emissions.

20. Biodiesel advantages – Biodegradable, lower emissions

21. Biodiesel disadvantages – High production cost, deforestation risk

22. Methanol sources – Wood, coal, natural gas, municipal waste

23. Methanol advantages – Can be made from waste, burns cleaner

24. Methanol disadvantages – Toxic, less energy-dense than gasoline

Solar Energy

25. Passive solar example – South-facing windows for heating

26. Active solar example – Solar panels (photovoltaic cells)

27. Photovoltaic cells – Convert sunlight into electricity.

28. 3 main elements in solar panels – Silicon, boron, phosphorus (Silicon is the semiconductor, boron is the p-type dopant, and phosphorus is the n-type dopant for charge flow).

29. Solar panel advantages – Renewable, no emissions

30. Solar panel disadvantages – High initial cost, dependent on sunlight

31. Solar thermal system – Uses mirrors/lenses to concentrate sunlight and generate heat for electricity.

Hydroelectric & Tidal Energy

32. Hydroelectric system – Water turns turbines, generating electricity.

33. Reservoir & dam – Reservoir stores water; dam controls flow to generate electricity.

34. Tidal dam – Uses ocean tides to spin turbines and produce electricity.

35. Dam advantages – Renewable energy, flood control

36. Dam disadvantages – Disrupts ecosystems, silt buildup

37. Salmon fish ladders – Steps that help fish migrate past dams.

38. No tidal dams in CA – High cost, environmental concerns, lack of strong tides

Geothermal Energy

39. 3 geothermal sources – Hot water reservoirs, steam vents, underground heat pumps

40. Geothermal advantages – Renewable, low emissions

41. Geothermal disadvantages – Expensive, location-dependent

42. Geothermal heat pumps – Use ground temperature for heating/cooling.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

43. Fuel cell cars run on – Hydrogen gas

44. Electrolysis – Splitting water into hydrogen & oxygen using electricity.

45. Fuel cell reaction – Hydrogen + Oxygen → Water + Electricity

46. Hydrogen fuel cell advantages – Zero emissions, high efficiency

47. Hydrogen fuel cell disadvantages – Expensive, hydrogen storage issues

Wind Energy

48. How wind turbines work – Wind spins blades, turning a generator to produce electricity.

49. Wind farm – A group of wind turbines generating electricity.

50. Wind energy advantages – Renewable, no emissions

51. Wind energy disadvantages – Intermittent power, impacts birds/bats

Energy Efficiency & Conservation

52. Improve building efficiency – Better insulation, energy-efficient appliances

53. Reduce phantom loads – Unplug devices or use smart power strips

54. Peak energy demand in Corona – Likely late afternoon & evening (hot weather increases AC use).

55. Trees & windows for efficiency – Trees provide shade, windows let in natural heat/light.

56. Smart grid vs. traditional grid – Smart grids adjust power supply based on real-time demand, reducing waste.

57. Living roof – A roof covered with plants for insulation and energy savings.

58. Living off-the-grid – Generating your own power instead of using public utilities.

59. Government’s role in efficiency – Tax incentives for renewables, stricter building codes

60. 3 personal energy-saving actions – Use LED bulbs, drive less, unplug unused devices