⭐️ • Module 2 : Energy & Fossil Fuels Flashcards
Learn the formation of fossil fuels, energy resources, electricity generation, energy demand, conservation strategies, oil pollution, and its management.
How is coal formed?
Coal forms from dead plant material buried in swamps millions of years ago. Heat and pressure turn it into coal.
How are oil and natural gas formed?
Oil and gas form from microscopic marine organisms that sink to the ocean floor, get buried under sediments, and transform under heat and pressure over millions of years.
What are the main differences between renewable and non-renewable energy resources?
Renewable resources, (ex. Wind, solar), replenish naturally.
Non-renewable resources, (ex. Fossil fuels, nuclear), take millions of years to form and can be depleted.
Name 3 renewable energy sources and how they generate electricity…
Solar power: Converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells.
Wind power: Uses wind turbines to turn kinetic energy into electricity.
Hydroelectric power: Water flows through turbines, generation electricity.
Geothermal power: Uses heat from the Earth’s core to produce steam and drive turbines.
What are the advantages of fossil fuels?
High energy output,
Reliable supply,
Widely available.
What are the disadvantages of fossil fuels?
Causes pollution,
Contributes to climate change,
Non-renewable,
Extraction can damage ecosystems.
What factors affect energy demand?
Population growth,
Industrialization,
Transportation needs,
Economic development,
Climate.
What are some strategies for conserving energy?
Insulation,
Turning off unused devices,
Using energy-efficient appliances,
Improving transportation.
What are the main causes of oil pollution?
Offshore drilling accidents,
Pipeline leaks,
Oil spills from tankers.
How does oil pollution affect marine and coastal ecosystems?
Coats birds feathers (reducing flight),
Harms marine mammals,
Damages coral reefs,
Contaminates beaches.
What are the environmental disadvantages of nuclear power?
Produces radioactive waste, risk of nuclear accidents, and mining for uranium damages ecosystems.
How do biofuels generate electricity?
Organic materials like wood, biogas, and bioethanol are burned to produce heat, which generates steam to drive turbines.
How can oil spills be managed or cleaned up?
Using booms to contain oil, skimmers to remove it, and detergent sprays to break it down.
What is MARPOL, and how does it help prevent oil spills?
MARPOL is an international agreement that sets regulations to prevent marine pollution, including rules for oil transportation and spill prevention.
Why is wind power not always reliable?
Wind speeds vary, and if there is little to no wind, turbines cannot generate electricity.
What is the main disadvantage of solar power?
It depends on sunlight availability, making it less effective at night or in cloudy regions.
What is the difference between primary and secondary energy sources?
Primary energy sources— these come directly from nature (ex. Coal, wind, solar),
Second energy sources—these are produced from primary sources (ex. electricity, hydrogen fuel).
How does hydroelectric power impact the environment?
It can disrupt ecosystems,
Alter river flow,
Displace communities,
Affect fish migration.
