Unit 7 Bronze Round Flashcards
Describe an electric car
An automobile that uses one or more electric motors instead of an internal combustion engine
Describe three advantages of electric cars
Operation produces no exhaust, could reduce air pollution
Use batteries, most likely won’t consume scarce petroleum resources
Are quiet, reduce noise in congested areas
Describe 3 disadvantages of electric cars
Use lithium-ion batteries, the are expensive
Have a limited range before their batteries need to be recharged
More limited ranges in extreme weather conditions that require high use of electric power by heating or cooling system
Charging takes for eve
Explain how electric cars add to pollution
Manufacturing of batteries cause pollution
Electric power plants used to charge the cars will create more air pollution
Explain what petrochemicals are
Chemicals made from petroleum or natural gas
List three primary petrochemicals and what they are used to make
Toluene is used for making explosives
Butadiene is used for making synthetic rubber
Benzene used in manufacture of dyes and synthetic detergents
When did using petroleum and natural gas for chemicals become widespread?
Began in the 1920s
When they became cheaper than getting coal
Explain how using petrochemicals helps manufacturers
Allows them to cheaply produce materials like plastic and synthetic fibers
Coal
Advantage
Large Supply
Disadvantage
Can release toxins like mercury in the air
Natural Gas
Advantage
Less Co2, released than other fossil fuels
Disadvantage
Methane can leak from pipes
Petroleum
Advantage
Used in wide variety of products (plastic, etc)
Disadvantage
Extracting causes water pollution
Nuclear
Advantage
Low risk of accidents
Disadvantage
Radioactive waste
Solar photovoltaic
Advantage
Reduces use of fossil fuels (they will last longer
Disadvantage
Requires a very large installation area to produce a lot of power
Hydropower
Advantage
Water control (flood control and water storage)
Disadvantage
Decrease flow of nutrients beyond the dam
Wind
Advantage
Land below turbine can be used
Disadvantage
Spinning blades can kill bats, songbirds, and raptors
Biomass-biofuel
Advantage
Can be added to gasoline
Disadvantage
Competition with cropland
Hydrogen
Advantage
Made from water and exhaust is water
Disadvantage
Technology not here for widespread use
Fossil Fuel advantage
Can be used anywhere at anytime
Fossil Fuel Disadvantage
Releases CO2 in to the atmosphere
Coal Main Use
Making electricity
Petrochemicals
Paints
Synthetic Fibers
Medicine
Plastics
Advantage of alternative
When it is in use, it doesn’t release CO2
Disadvantage of alternatives
Can’t be used anywhere at any time
More efficient use of energy
Home
Energy efficient appliances
Get same amount of work for less energy
Doing full loads wash more clothes for the same amount of energy
Insulation
Slows movement of heat
Same temperature longer for the same amount of energy
Transportation
Carpooling
More people for the same amount of energy
Energy Policy
Increase Energy Efficiency
Clean up the emissions of fossil fuels
Incorporate more alternative when applicable
It is very difficult to incorparte aleternatives as a energy source
