Energy Resources!

Nonrenewable Resources• A resource that forms at a rate that is much

slower than the rate at which it is used• Fossil Fuels– Formed from the remains of organisms that lived long

ago• Plants and animals that lived millions of years ago were

buried– Plants stored energy from photosynthesis– Animals stored energy the energy by eating the plants

– ALL OF THIS ENERGY COMES FROM THE SUN!– This energy is released when fossil fuels are burned

Nonrenewable Resources• Types of Fossil Fuels– Coal: burned to produce steam that run electric

generators– Petroleum: Used in gasoline, wax, and

petrochemicals– Natural Gas: Heats homes, stoves, ovens, and

vehicles

Nonrenewable Resources• Nuclear Energy– An atom is split and releases energy to convert to

thermal energy– The atoms are unlimited but the type we are able

to split (uranium) is limited

Renewable Resources• A natural resource that can be replaced at the

same rate at which it is used• Solar Energy: Sunlight can be changed into

electrical energy through solar cells– Calculators

Renewable Resources• Water Energy (Hydropower)– The potential energy can be changed into kinetic

energy as water flows through a dam• Falling water turns a turbine which are connected to a

generator making electrical energy

Renewable Resources• Wind Energy– Kinetic energy caused by the differing

temperatures of the air– Kinetic energy of wind can turn the blades of a

windmill– The kinetic energy of the turning blades is turned

into electrical energy with a generator

Renewable Resources

• Geothermal Energy– Thermal energy caused by the heating of the Earth’s

crust– Water and Air are pumped underground– The water is heated and pumped back to the

surface– This warmed water is then used to heat homes

• This is what heats and cools our school!

– Steam created deep underground can also be used to turn turbines to create electricity

Renewable Resources

• Biomass– Plants, wood and waste are burned to release

energy– Plants, like corn are chemically broken down into

sugars– These sugars can be converted into other

chemicals for fuel (like ethenol)