Chapters 13/14 (Final) Flashcards
how does society use energy?
grow, store, cook food, warm/cool homes, extract/process natural resources, manufacture items, transportation
most energy use in U.S.
industry
who uses the most energy
developed nations
coal is…
most abundant fossil fuel, found in northern hemisphere
environmental impacts of coal
topsoil loss, landslides, acid/toxic mineral drainage, mountaintop removal
how to make coal cleaner?
scrubbers, fluidized-bed combustion (neutralization of coal w/limestone), Clean Air Act
Oil/Natural Gas…
provide 56% of world’s energy
what is petroleum/crude oil?
liquid composed of hundreds of hydrocarbon compounds, refining separates
products of petroleum/crude oil
gases, jet fuel, heating oil, diesel, asphalt, fertilizers, plastics, paints, pesticides, medicines, synthetic fibers
natural gas
a few hydrocarbons: methane, ethane
where is natural gas used?
electricity generation, cogeneration (natural gas used to produce electricity/steam), transpiration
impacts of oil
co2 production, acid deposition, photochemical smog
impacts of natural gas
leaks/spills, less sulfur/CO2
Deepwater horizon
drilling platform explosion in 2010, Gulf of Mexico, fisheries disrupted, wildlife killed, extensive ecological damage occurred
how nuclear energy works
changes within the nuclei of an atom
fission
splitting of nucleus into two smaller fragments accompanied by release of large amounts of energy
fusion
two small atoms combined to form large atom of different element (sun)
enrichment
the process of refining uranium ore to increase the concentration of U-235 so it’s usable in nuclear reactors: processed into pellets, placed into fuel rods, placed into fuel assemblies, reactor contains 150-250 assemblies
pros/cons
less pollution, radioactive waste
accidents can cause…
radiation release, people are distrustful of accidents although unlikely
best type of storage for nuclear waste
deep-underground
three options for decomissioning
storage, entombment, immediate dismantling
