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
Renewable energy, often referred to as clean energy, comes from natural sources or processes that are constantly reused.
Nonrenewable Resource
Non-renewable energy comes from sources that will run out or will not be replenished for thousands or even millions of years.
Fossil Fuel
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
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are powered by hydrogen. They are more efficient than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and produce no tailpipe emissions—they only emit water vapor and warm air.
Solar Energy
Radiant energy emitted by the sun
Wind Energy
Wind power or wind energy is the use of wind to provide mechanical power through wind turbines to turn electric generators for electrical power.
Hydroelectric energy
Hydroelectric energy, also called hydroelectric power or hydroelectricity, is a form of energy that harnesses the power of water in motion—such as water flowing over a waterfall—to generate electricity.
Biomass
The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume.
Gasohol
A mixture of gasoline and ethyl alcohol used as fuel in internal combustion engines
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is heat within the earth.
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.
