energy resources Flashcards
natural resource
any natural material that is used by humans, such as water, petroleum, minerals, forests, and animals.
renewable resource
a natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate at which the resource is consumed.
nonrenewable resource
a resource that forms at a rate much slower than the rate at which is consumed.
fossil fuel
a nonrenewable energy resource formed from the remains of organisms that lived long ago; examples include oil, coal, and natural gas.
nuclear fission
a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on impact with another particle, with the release of energy.
nuclear fusion
the combination of the nuclei of small atoms to form a larger nucleus; releases energy.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle
fuel cell cars and trucks combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, which runs a motor.
solar energy
the energy received by the Earth from the sun in the form of radiation.
wind energy
the use of a windmill to drive an electric generator.
hydroelectric energy
electrical energy produced by falling water.
biomass
organic matter that can be a source of energy.
gasohol
a mixture of gasoline and alcohol that is used as a fuel.
geothermal energy
the energy produced by heat within the earth.
petroleum
a liquid mixture of complex hydrocarbon compounds; used widely as a fuel source.
natural gas
a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons located under the surface of the earth, often near petroleum, deposits; used as fuel.
