Energy resources Flashcards
any natural material that is used by humans, such as water, petroleum, minerals, forests, and animals
natural resource
a natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate at which the resource is consumed
renewable resource
a resource that forms at a rate that is much slower that the rate at wich it is consumed
nonrenewable resource
a nonrenewable energy source formed from the remains of organisms that lived long ago
fossil fuel
a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on impact with another particle, with the release of energy.
nuclear fission
the combination of teh nuclei of small atoms to form a larger nucleus; releases energy
nuclear fusion
is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as its onboard fuel for motive power.
hydrogen fuel cell vehicle
the energy recieved by the Earth from the sun in the form of radiation
solar energy
the use of a windmill to drive electric generator
wind energy
electrical energy produced by falling water
hydroelectric energy
organic matter that can be a source of energy; the total mass of the organisms in a given area
biomass
it is a system chemical name for ethyl alcohol
Ethanol
the energy produced by heat within the earth
geothermal energy
a liquid mixture of complex hydrocarbon compounds; used widely as a fuel source
petroleum
a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons located under the surface of the earth, often near petroleum deposits
natural gas
