Review Module 3&4 Flashcards
natural resources that can replace themselves either through a biological reproduction process or some other naturally recurring process.
Renewable Resources
These energy sources are typically eco-friendly and are thus sometimes called green energy.
Renewable Resources
This is energy derived from the sun.
It is the best free energy source.
Solar Energy
three types of solar energy
passive solar energy, active solar energy, and solar energy created by converting solar radiation into electricity using photovoltaic cells.
are structures whose design, placement, or materials optimize the use of heat or light directly from the sun.
Passive systems
An example of passive solar energy
opening the window to allow the sunlight to enter.
use various electrical and mechanical components to capture and convert the sun’s energy.
Active solar energy systems
Active systems have devices to convert the sun’s energy into a more usable form, such as
hot water or electricity.
fastest-growing power generating technology in the world.
Solar energy using photovoltaic or solar cells
power extracted from heat stored under the Earth’s crust.
Geothermal
There are benefits to geothermal energy:
efficient energy source
moderate environmental impact
lower CO2 emissions than fossil fuels
low land use & low land disturbance
energy generated from wind.
Wind
three minor problems with wind energy
Not available in sufficient quantities in all locations
tends to be loud
birds can sometimes fly into the propellers and get killed
created from the force of moving water turning large turbines to create electricity.
Hydroelectric
main leading source of renewable energy.
it provides low-cost electricity.
Hydroelectric
biological material from recently living or currently living organisms
Biomass
advantages to using biomass:
large potential in some areas
help restore lands that are degraded
uses agricultural and urban waste products
harnessing of energy occurs when water is moving because of tidal flows.
tides are more predictable than solar and wind energy.
Tidal
Solar
Geothermal
Wind
Hydroelectric
Biomass
Tidal
Renewable Resources -
Coal
Natural gas
Nuclear power
Non-renewable Resources
currently is the largest source of energy for power plants
Coal
Benefits to coal:
It has a high net energy yield.
It provides a stable source of energy.
It provides many jobs.
Problems with coal as an energy source:
It is a severe threat to human health.
It has high CO2 emissions when it is burned.
created by the decay of methanogenic organisms in marshes, bogs, and landfills.
natural gas
Benefits of Natural Gas:
High net energy yield
Ample supply
Low cost in the US due to subsidies
Less air pollution than other fossil fuels
produced by the controlled splitting of atoms, which is called nuclear fission.
nuclear power
Virginia Resources
fossil fuels
approximately ______ of coal used to produce electricity.
60%
along with geothermal, biomass, solar, and wind, it makes up less than ____ of the energy used in Virginia each year.
1%
