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
