APES Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

energy conversion

A change from one form of energy to another

energy efficiency

A comparison of the amount of energy before a conversion with the amount of useful energy after a conversion

nuclear fusion

A nuclear reaction in which nuclei combine to form more massive nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy. (many to one)

renewable energy

A resource that can be replaced when needed.

natural gas

A resource that is used in heating systems, in stoves, ovens, and some vehicles. It is the cleanest burning fossil fuel.

passive solar heating

A system that uses the sun's energy without requiring mechanical devices (pumps or fans) to distribute the collected heat.

Petroleum

An oily, dark-colored, flammable liquid found in the earth, consisting mainly of a mixture of various hydrocarbons. Gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, paraffin, and lubricants are made from petroleum.

fossil fuels

Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.

fuel cell

Device that combines hydrogen, or other fuels, and oxygen and produces electricity in the process.

hydroelectric energy

Energy obtained from flowing water

nuclear energy

Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom

biomass fuel

Fuel that derives from plant material and animal waste

nuclear fission

The process by which a large nucleus is split into smaller nuclei (one to many)

electric generator

a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy

nonrenewable energy

a source of energy that exists in limited quantities and once used, cannot be replaced except over the course of millions of years

ocean thermal energy

an alternative energy that works by pumbing cold water from the deep ocean to the warm shallow water, creating steam, and spinning a turbine to create energy

alternative energy

energy derived from sources that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment

oil reserves

oil that has been discovered but remains unused in the ground

wind power

power derived from the wind (as by windmills)

clean coal

process that has the possibility of removing and sequestering all the dirty emissions, including CO2, from the burning of coal

geothermal energy

the energy produced by heat within the earth

active solar heating

the gathering of solar energy by collectors to heat up water or a buliding

energy conservation

the practice of finding ways to use less energy or to use energy more efficiently