Sources Of Energy That We Use Flashcards
Fossil fuel
Energy conversion
In the furnace: chemical potential energy —> thermal energy.
In the boiler: thermal energy —> kinetic energy of steam.
A turbine: kinetic energy of steam —>kinetic energy of turbine.
The turbine: kinetic energy of turbine —> electrical energy
Advantages
⁃cheap
Disadvantages
⁃Burning of fossil fuels releases air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
⁃Contributes to global warming
⁃Increases rate of climate change
Solar energy
Energy conversion
Light energy (the sun) —> electrical energy (Solar cell)
Advantages
⁃can generate electricity without releasing air pollutants and greenhouse gases
⁃Minimal impact on the environment
Disadvantages
⁃sufficient care is needed to reduce the amount of toxic waste generated during disposal of solar panels
Hydroelectric energy
energy conversion
gravitational potential energy (water stored behind a dam) —>
kinetic energy (water) —>
kinetic energy (turbine)—>
electrical energy (generator)
Advantages
⁃produces very little greenhouse gases
Disadvantages
⁃the reservoir causes floods
⁃Kills plants and forces animals to move to other areas
⁃Those who make a living through fishing may not be able to fish anymore
Wind energy
energy conversion
kinetic energy (wind) —>
kinetic energy (wind turbine)—>
electrical energy (generator)
Advantages
⁃produces no or very little greenhouse gases
Disadvantages
⁃large plots of land need to be cleared
⁃Potential loss of wildlife as natural habitats are destroyed
⁃Birds may be killed if they collide into the rotating wind turbines
⁃Noise produced by rotating blades contribute to noise pollution
Geothermal energy
energy conversion
Thermal energy (earth’s core) —>
kinetic energy (steam) —>
kinetic energy (turbine)—>
electrical energy (generator)
Advantages
⁃produces no or very little greenhouse gases
Disadvantages
⁃requires clearing of land
⁃Destroys habitats of wildlife
⁃Reduces diversity of species
⁃Toxic elements are drawn out from underground
Cause harm if equipment is not properly used
Biofuels
energy conversion
Chemical potential energy (biofuel) —>
Thermal energy —>
kinetic energy (vehicles)
Advantages
⁃plants used to make biofuels can be grown in a short time (renewable)
⁃Helps to recycle and reduce waste
⁃Plants grown for making biofuel carry out photosynthesis
⁃The amount of carbon dioxide taken in helps to balance the amount released
Disadvantages
⁃burning biofuels releases air pollutants like carbon dioxide into the environment
Nuclear energy
energy conversion
Nuclear energy (atoms) —>
Thermal energy —>
kinetic energy (turbine)—>
electrical energy (generator)
Advantages
⁃clean energy
⁃Requires less land space
Disadvantages
⁃research efforts to find solutions to minimise risks
⁃Needs ways to dispose and store nuclear waste without leakage
⁃ Lesson learnt from past nuclear accidents
