Unit 6 APES Vocabulary List

Coal (How do they form? Which countries have large amounts of this resource?)

Coal is formed when plants in swamps millions of years ago died. As time passes it is covered. by dirt The heat and pressure turns the plants into coal. The countries with the largest abundance of coal is the United States of America, Russia, China, India, and Australia.

Dams

A barrier constructed to hold back water and raise its level, the resulting reservoir being used in the generation of electricity or as a water supply.

Renewable energy

A resource that has a theoretically unlimited supply and is not depleted when used by humans.

Non-renewable energy

A source of energy that has a finite supply capable of being exhausted

Hydraulic fracturing (definition? pros/cons)

A way to extract natural gas or oil by introducing liquid at high pressure. Pros are decrease in energy prices and allows for more jobs. Cons are air/water pollution and increase in earthquakes.

Biomass (What is it? pros/cons? How does it work?)

Biomass is a renewable source of energy derived from burning organic materials such as wood. Pros are its limitless, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and are more convenient compared to fossil fuels. Cons are the requirement of land and pesticides, must be in close proximity of biomass source, and is not 100% clean. It works by using plants that perform photosynthesis and create biomass. The biomass is burned to produce steam. The steam turns a turbine that spins a turbine that powers a generator to generate electricity.

Photovoltaic cells

Cells, usually made of specially-treated silicon, that transfer solar energy from the sun to electrical energy

Natural Gas (How do they form? Which countries have large amounts of this resource?)

Gas is formed when sea plants from millions of years ago died and got buried under the ocean floor by sand and silt. As time passes the heat and pressure turned them into gas. The countries with the largest abundance of natural gas is Venezuela, Canada, and Russia.

Geothermal energy (What is it? pros/cons? How does it work?)

Geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy that uses steam from reservoirs of hot water miles under the earth in order to generate electricity, heat and cool areas, and serve other uses. Pros are less dependance on fossil fuels, emission of greenhouse gasses is low compared to fossil fuels, and has a small ecological footprint. Cons are it's not a clean form of energy, power plants need specific criteria, is cost ineffective. The way geothermal energy works is hot water is pumped from the earth and transformed into steam that spins a turbine and powers a generator that generates electricity.

Hydropower (What is it? pros/cons? How does it work?)

Hydro-Power is a renewable source energy that generates power through the natural flow of water of rivers or any body parts of water. Pros are it's a clean form of energy, provides flood control, and can filter water for drinking. Cons are high initial cost, can block organisms from traveling affecting migration patterns, and can cause loss in biodiversity due to an area that's a habitat for organism are converted into dams. It works by having a water spin a turbine that powers a generator to generate electricity.

Nuclear energy (What is it? pros/cons? How does it work?)

Nuclear energy is a nonrenewable source of energy that uses neutrons to split uranium for energy. Pros are it produces a lot of energy, cleaner than fossil fuels, and only form of greenhouse gasses that are produced is water vapor. Cons are there is a possibility of accidents, there is no way to get rid of nuclear waster, and it is nonrenewable. It works by using neutrons to split uranium that generates heat which turns water into steam that turns a turbine and it powers a generator that generates electricity.

Oil (How do they form? Which countries have large amounts of this resource?)

Oil is formed when sea plants from millions of years ago died and got buried under the ocean floor by sand and silt. As time passes the heat and pressure turned them into oil. The countries with the largest abundance of oil is Russia, Ukraine, and Iran.

4 major steps in coal formation process

Peat → lignite → bituminous → anthracite

Cogeneration

Production of two useful forms of energy, such as high-temperature heat or steam and electricity, from the same fuel source.

Solar energy (What is it? pros/cons? How does it work?)

Solar energy is a renewable energy source powered by photovoltaic cells to generate electricity in passive or active forms. Pros are that it lasts for a long time, reduces carbon emissions and can reduce electricity bills. Cons are their expensive, weather dependent, and may contain toxic metals that would be considered hazardous waste. It works by using PV cells to direct sunlight to generate an electric field.

Tidal power (What is it? pros/cons? How does it work?)

Tidal power is a renewable source of energy by using the movements of tides and ocean currents. Pros are its very environmental friendly, a predictable source of energy, and is a clean form of energy. Cons are tidal power plants are expensive, they are limited to coastal regions, and negatively affect local marine life. It works by using the tides to spin a turbine that powers a generator to generate electricity.

Radioactive decay

When a parent radioactive isotope decay/change to another isotope that is more stable called the daughter product.

Wind energy (What is it? pros/cons? How does it work?)

Wind energy is a renewable source of energy that uses wind to turn a wind turbine to generate electricity. Pros are it's a clean form of energy, benefits local communities, and are able to work in various settings. Cons are it may kill birds or bats that fly into the wind turbine, wind is unpredictable and hard to track, and wind turbines are very expensive. It works by using wind to spin a turbine to power a generator that generates electricity.