Chapter 7 Renewable And Non-renewable Flashcards
Crust
The outer layer of the Earth, including all landforms, rocks and soil
Minerals
Substances that make up rocks. Each mineral has its own chemical make-up
Mineral Ore
A substance that contains minerals of values, that can be obtained by mining
Open-Cut Mining
A method of mining mineral ores that are close to the surface — a large hole is made to expose the rocks, which are then broken up using explosives
Under Ground Mining
A method of mining mineral ores that are deep below the surface, using shafts and tunnels dug deep into the ground to access the mineral ore
Concentration
The process of making a substance stronger or purer by removing or reducing the proportion of what is foreign or inessential; for example, separating mineral ore from unwanted soil, sand and other minerals
Reduction
Bringing a mineral ore into a metallic state by separating the non-metallic constituents
Gangue
Leftover waste rock and mineral material. It is produced during the processes that extract mineral ores
Smelting
Melting mineral ore in order to separate the metal contained
Purification
The removal of impurities from metals to produce a pure metal
Fossil Fuels
Substance, such as coal, oil and natural gas, that has formed from the remains of ancient organisms. Coal, oil and natural gas are often used as fuels; that is, they are burnt in order to produce heat
Peat
Partially decomposed plant matter, buried and compressed over millions of years by layers of other plants in marshy or damp regions
Sedimentary Rocks
Rocks formed from sediments deposited by water, wind or ice. The sediments are cemented together in layers, under pressure.
Brown Coal
A form of coal formed from peat compressed over millions of years, with much of the moisture driven out by the weight and heat of the layers above; also known as lignite
Black Coal
A harder, drier form of coal than brown coal, formed from peat compressed over millions of years, with most of the moisture driven out by the weight and heat of the layers above; also known as anthracite
Over Burnden
Rock, soil and vegetation, which are removed before mining can commence
Natural Gas
A fossil fuel consisting of mainly methane
Porous
Having many pores or other small spaces that can hold a gas or liquid or allow it to pass through
Turbines
Wheels that, when turned, drive electrical generators. Steam or water are often used to turn turbines.
Wind Energy
A renewable energy derived from the wind (caused by uneven heating of the Earth and its oceans by the sun), for example by the use of wind turbines in a wind farm
Biomass
Material produced by living organisms
Ocean Wave Energy
A renewable energy created by converting the mechanical energy of ocean waves to electrical energy
Tidal Energy
A renewable energy that can be harvested from the tides in the ocean through the use of large underwater turbines placed in areas of high tidal movement
Geothermal Energy
Heat energy transferred from rocks below the Earth’s surface
Hydro-Electricity
Power produced by the energy of falling water
Nuclear Energy
The energy stored at the centre of atoms, the tiny particles that make up all substances. Nuclear energy can be released from the radioactive metals uranium or plutonium and transformed into electrical energy in a nuclear power station
Clouds
A visible collection of small water droplets in the air high above the ground
Wind Energy
A renewable energy derived from the wind (caused by uneven heating of the Earth and its oceans by the sun), for example by the use of wind turbines in a wind farm
Biomass
Material produced by living organisms
Ocean Wave Energy
A renewable energy created by converting the mechanical energy of ocean waves to electrical energy
Tidal Energy
A renewable energy that can be harvested from the tides in the ocean through the use of large underwater turbines placed in areas of high tidal movement
Geothermal Energy
Heat energy transferred from rocks below the Earth’s surface
Hydro-Electricity
Power produced by the energy of falling water
Nuclear Energy
The energy stored at the centre of atoms, the tiny particles that make up all substances. Nuclear energy can be released from the radioactive metals uranium or plutonium and transformed into electrical energy in a nuclear power station
Clouds
A visible collection of small water droplets in the air high above the ground
Fog
A visible collection of small water droplets in the air at ground level
Water Cycle
The constant circulation of water on Earth, as it evaporates from the sea, condenses into clouds and precipitates
Gyres
Permanent circulating deep ocean currents that enclose huge areas between continents
Green House Effect
A natural effect of the Earth’s atmosphere trapping heat, which keeps the Earth’s temperature stable. The sun’s energy passes through the atmosphere and warms the Earth. Heat energy radiated from the Earth cannot pass through the atmosphere and is trapped
Global Warming
The observed rise in the average near-surface temperature of the Earth
Grey Water v
Wastewater from the kitchen, bathroom or laundry system of a household; it can be used for watering lawns and gardens, or for other purposes, instead of being drained into the sewerage system
Black Water
Waste water from the toilet system of a household; raw sewage
Biodegradable
Describes a substance that breaks down or decomposes easily in the environment
Desalination
The conversion of sea water to fresh water
Weathering
The process of breaking down rocks by conditions in the atmosphere
Erosion
The process of moving weathered rock or soil from one place to another
Soil
A complex mixture of the products of weathering and organic matter, both living and dead
Deposition
The laying down of weathered rock particles and soil by rivers, wind, oceans and glaciers
Humus
Organic matter resulting from the decomposition of plant and animal tissue in the soil. Humus helps the soil hold water and mineral nutrients needed by plants
Deforestation
The removal of trees from the land
Groynes
A jetty built into the sea to prevent the erosion of the beach
