energy resources Flashcards
Natural Resource
materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain
Renewable Resource
Any resource, such as wood or solar energy, that can or will be replenished naturally in the course of time
Nonrenewable Resource
Most fossil fuels, such as oil, natural gas and coal are considered nonrenewable resources
Fossil Fuel
a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms
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
a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle
Unlike conventional vehicles which run on gasoline or diesel, fuel cell cars and trucks combine hydrogen
Solar Energy
Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range
Wind Energy
refers to the process of creating electricity using the wind
Hydroelectric energy
The most common type of hydroelectric power plant uses a dam on a river to store water in a reservoir
Biomass
organic matter used as a fuel, especially in a power station for the generation of electricity
Gasohol
a mixture of gasoline and ethyl alcohol used as fuel in internal combustion engines
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is the heat from the Earth. It’s clean and sustainable
Petroleum
a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons that is present in certain rock strata and can be extracted and refined to produce fuels including gasoline, kerosene, and diesel oil; oil
Natural Gas
flammable gas, consisting largely of methane and other hydrocarbons, occurring naturally underground (often in association with petroleum) and used as fuel
