Energy Sources Flashcards
describe fossil fuels
● Produced when animal and plant residues accumulate on the sea
floor and gradually get covered by layers of sand and rock. Over
millions of years, they are transformed into oil and natural gas.
● Humans mine fossil fuels and burn them to produce thermal
energy, which can also be converted into mechanical and
electrical energy in thermal power plants.
● The burning of fossil fuels releases pollutants such as carbon
dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Other gases, such as sulfur
dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are also released.
describe uranium (nuclear) energy
● Uranium is a radioactive element and exists naturally in the
lithosphere.
● Nuclear power plants use mined uranium to transform thermal
energy into mechanical and electrical energy.
● A small amount of radioactive material produces a lot of energy.
● Nuclear waste is another by-product and needs to be buried since
it continues to release radioactivity for hundreds of years.
describe Geothermal energy
● Below the lithosphere lies hot magma which releases thermal
energy.
● A fluid is circulated into the ground; it is heated naturally, then
brought up to the surface. The hot liquid can be used to heat
homes or its thermal energy can be transformed into electrical
energy.
● It can be difficult to access geothermal energy. It can also be very
expensive.
describe Hydroelectric energy
● Hydroelectric power plants use the movement of falling water to
spin turbines which are located inside dams built across a river.
● Water falling through a dam spins a turbine that converts
mechanical energy into electrical energy.
● Hydroelectricity is the main source of energy in Quebec.
describe Wave and
Ocean
Current energy
● Wave energy is produced when the energy contained in the movement of water is harnessed using buoys, which rise and fall with the waves.
● Ocean currents are able to spin underwater turbines, which are similar to wind turbines. The mechanical energy produced by the movement of the buoys and blades can be converted into electrical energy.
● Harnessing energy from waves and ocean currents is not yet
widespread due to the fact that they are, at the moment, too
expensive.
describe tidal energy
● Electricity can be generated from tides when water from a high tide is collected (sometimes using a dam) and then falls through turbines converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
● A tidal range of 5 m is necessary to use this technology.
describe wind energy
● The wind causes the turbines to rotate and a generator converts
the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
● Wind energy cannot be stored; therefore it needs to be used in
conjunction with another source of energy.
● Wind energy can be unreliable and unpredictable.
describe solar energy
● As the rays of the sun hit panels containing photovoltaic cells,
they cause electrons to flow, creating current electricity.
● This technology is costly and is limited by the amount of sunlight
present.
- Which of the following technologies uses an energy source derived from the
lithosphere?
A) Tidal barrage
B) Wind turbine
C) Photovoltaic cell
D) Coal-fired plant
D) Coal-fired plant
The lithosphere and the hydrosphere provide us with many different resources that
we can use to produce energy. Each resource has its advantages and
disadvantages.
List two things regarding the advantages and disadvantages of
uranium and tidal energy:
Uranium Advantages
1. small quantity of uranium will produce
much energy
2. does not produce and greenhouse
gases
Uranium Disadvantages
1. non-renewable form of energy
2. produces radioactive waste that is
toxic to all organisms
Tidal Energy Advantages
1. renewable source of energy
2. tides are predictable; there are 2 high
tides and 2 low tides a day
Tidal energy disadvatages
1. Turbines can only be used in certain
regions where tide height reaches a
minimum of 5 meters.
2. Turbines are placed in harsh salt
water conditions, often far from city
centers.
Wind farms are growing in importance in Quebec. In partnership with Hydro-Quebec,
these farms require many years of planning and construction. The Gros-Morne wind
park in the Gaspésie region will have over 140 wind turbines at the end of its
construction. In order to begin construction of Phase I in the spring of 2010,
deforestation work was performed in the fall of 2009.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using wind energy?
Advantages to using wind energy is that it is a renewable, clean (no greenhouse gases) form of energy.
Disadvantages to using wind energy are that the wind is not predictable and that the energy itself cannot be stored. Some would say that the wind turbines create both visual pollution, ruining the natural beauty of the environment and noise pollution. Deforestation also needs to take place before some wind parks are constructed.
What is the enviromental impact of hydroelectic energy? Is it renewable or no?
Renewable
- Causes little pollution.
● The building of dams often floods large areas
of land, affecting the habitat of various plant
and animal species.
What is the enviromental impact of wave energy? Is it renewable or no?
Renewable
● May disturb aquatic ecosystems.
● Does not release atmospheric pollutants.
What is the enviromental impact of tidal energy? Is it renewable or no?
Renewable
● Does not release atmospheric pollutants
● Tidal barrages (dams) can interfere with fish
migration and can affect water flow and
levels.
What is the enviromental impact of wind energy? Is it renewable or no?
Renewable
● Does not release atmospheric pollutants.
● Turbines can produce sound pollution.
● Can disrupt the visual appeal of the
landscape.
● Birds can collide with the wind turbines.
