Energy Resources – Solar Energy Fact Sheet
Energy Resources Note Sheets - H Name ____________________________________
7th Grade Environmental Science
Mrs. Krempa Date & Section ____________________________
Nuclear Note Sheet
Be detailed in your answers during the presentations – these are your only notes! You can use your book too…
1. Define Nuclear fission. A reaction in which the nucleus of a large atom is split into smaller nuclei.
Gives off A LOT of energy!
2. Nuclear power plants (fission reactors) - how they work & produce electricity? (diagram below)
Atoms are split (fission) in the reactor vessel. The heat from fission is used to boil water and make steam. The steam turns a turbine that turns a generator that makes electricity. The hot water is then cooled and re-condensed by another loop of water running to the cooling towers. (pg. 538)
[pic]
Fuel used? Uranium
Problems? Meltdown, fuel rod storage, potential for radiation leaks, potential terrorism
3. Define chain reaction Continuous nuclear fission. Fission that keeps going, and going…
Particle released Neutron
4. What do Control rods do & what are they made of? Control the rate of a nuclear reaction. The lower
the rods are the more neutrons are caught, the slower the reaction = less heat.
Made of Cadmium and Boron.
5. Pros Cons
No air pollution Expensive to build & maintain
Small amounts of fuel needed to generate potential nuclear accidents
A LOT of electricity disposal of radioactive waste
Plants usually safer than coal-fired plants
6. Define nuclear fusion The process by which two atomic nuclei fuse to become one larger nucleus.
Creates a HUGE amount of energy in the form of f light and heat.
What does it have to do with the sun? The sun is a fusion reactor!
can we use it? (Problems?) We do not have the technology to control a fusion reaction.
Try having the sun in your basement!
7. Storage of waste – Temporary – nuclear waste kept at power plants all over the world, sunk in deep
pools of cooling water to prevent radiation leaks.
Long–term – trying to find one safe site. Afraid that many small sites could lead to easier
sabotage or the potential of many chances for nuclear contamination (leakage, accidents, etc.) Yucca Mountain, NV is a possibility. Site is remote, protected, little rainfall and deep water table (so no groundwater contamination) and little risk of earthquakes. Not set yet, but US is hoping to use the site soon.
8. What happened at the three sites listed below? Be descriptive!
Three Mile Island (TMI) 1979, Near Harrisburg, PA. Valve to the cooling system stuck shut,
power plant overheated and started to melt down. Had to flood building with water to cool reactor down. A small amount of radioactive steam was released into the atmosphere. No injuries or death. Was a PARTIAL meltdown.
Chernobyl 1986, Ukraine. Old, out of date plant with inexperienced workers. Control rods
made of graphite. Reactor got too hot, graphite rods caught fire, containment building exploded releasing a major amount of radiation. 30 killed instantly, 100,00 + had to be permanently relocated, most animals in area were killed. Many cases of cancer and birth defects. Will not be livable for 100,000 years.
Fukushima 2011. A powerful undersea 9.0-magnitude earthquake (one of the strongest
earthquakes in recorded history) rocked Japan. Within minutes, powerful and destructive tsunami waves washed ashore.
1. reactors automatically executed emergency shut-down procedures.
2. most severely damaged nuclear plant was Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi (Die –eech- ee) facility, located 150 miles (240 km) north of Tokyo.
3. damage and power failures in both the primary and backup systems, caused by the
tsunami, disabled the diesel generators that were needed to power the pumps that circulate coolant and remove excess heat from the reactor core. Even with the reactors shut down and the fission chain reaction stopped, residual heating (try turning off your oven…) caused at least three reactors to overheat when the backup battery power to the cooling pumps ran out
4. Overheating produced a series of hydrogen gas explosions that damaged the outermost
containment shells covering each of the reactors.
5. Three of the seven reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant suffered full
meltdowns
6. Water draining from the Fukushima facility, sprayed in an attempt to cool reactors and
refill spent fuel rod cooling pools, spilled back into the sea
7. Found radioactively contaminated meat, seafood, milk, vegetables, and tea being
exported from Japan
9. Can nuclear power plants create a nuclear explosion? Why or why not? NO! Not the right kind of fuel
or enough of it at a plant to create a nuclear explosion.
10. What is the greatest source of radiation to people in the US? Why? Radon gas. Naturally occurring
radioactive gas in Earth’s crust. That’s why it is often found in basements – radon leaks in from surrounding bedrock.
Geothermal, Biomass etc. Fact Note Sheet
Be detailed in your answers during the presentations – these are your only notes! You can use your book too…
1. Define biomass energy. Energy made from biomass (material that makes up living organisms - wood,
manure, grain) that is used for cooking, heating, powering motor vehicles or generating electricity.
2. Biofuels Liquid fuels from biomass sources
Ethanol Gasohol
What – Alcohol produced from the fermentation What?_a blend of gasoline & alcohol
of starches or sugar How used to power cars /trucks *See ethanol
How used by itself or added to gasoline Plant used corn
US use in gasoline because it releases less
Carbon monoxide than plain gas
*See Gasohol
Biodiesel Biopower
What? Diesel fuel made from vegetable oil What? Electricity generated by the burning
(combustion ) of biomass
How used as a fuel in diesel cars/trucks How used lumber waste, cornstalks, trash,
Usually added to regular diesel to fast growing crops burned to make
Cut down on emissions. steam to make electricity
3. Biomass Pros Cons
Renewable, inexpensive, burning does release pollutants (CO2)
using materials that are leftover/unwanted
4. Trash to steam – plant in Conshahocken. Take the unrecyclable trash from Philly and burn it. Boil water
to turn turbine to turn generator to make electricity. What a great way to get rid of trash!!
5. Define geothermal energy. Energy produced (generated) by heat from the earth’s interior.
Geologic features – Hot springs, geysers
Where in the world is it actually used to create electricity? California, Iceland, the Philippines,
New Zealand, Indonesia
use as heating (homes): Well drilled, closed loop of pipes run. Water always 55 degrees. Cold water
from well used to heat and cool house. Diagram below.
[pic]
how does is make electricity? Wells drilled into areas of land (5) where magma is close to surface.
Superheated water (1) piped back up as steam to turn turbines (3) that turn generators and make electricity. See diagram below.
[pic]
Pros Cons
Free source of heat Expensive to make & maintain
pollution that happens during generation
corrosion to facility from environment
location – only certain places have it
Heat pump – temperature of the ground a few feet down stays a constant temperature all year round.
Water pipes are sunk underground. The water circulates into a house for heating / air conditioning. In the summer, the water is a constant 55 degrees. Free air conditioning! In the winter the water only needs to be heated a small amount to make a house confortably warm. System I have in my house!
Pros Cons
Renewable, inexpensive, burning does release some pollutants
using materials that are leftover/unwanted
5. Describe Hydrogen power. Source of energy that changes water to electricity. Uses a Fuel cell to “steal”
hydrogen from water, create electricity, then put the water back together. Only emission is water!
[pic]
Uses: Alternate fuel option for cars, boats, public transportation etc.
Where in the world is it used today? California, Brazil, Seattle, Washington
Pros Cons
Produces water not pollutants Difficult to store, not readily available
Refills quickly, no noise high cost, Short range for vehicles
Energy Resources – Coal Note Sheet
Be detailed in your answers during the presentations – these are your only notes! You can use your book too…
1. What is coal? How is it made? (Include carbon content & burning).
Coal is a solid fossil fuel. Millions of years ago swamp plants died and were covered with sediment.
Millions of years of heat and pressure changed plant material in to solid rock (coal). As time goes on the carbon content in the plant matter increases (more concentrated). More carbon means more energy when burned.
2. What are the four main types of coal? Briefly explain each.
Stage 1: Peat
Explanation: Brittle, brown plant material. Not really considered coal.
Stage 2: Lignite
Explanation: Soft, brown coal. First form of true coal.
Stage 3: Bitumiunous
Explanation: Soft coal. Purer form of coal, burns cleaner, less impurities. Used to heat homes.
Stage 4: Anthracite
Explanation: Hard coal, shiny, black. A metamorphic rock. “Best” coal (cleanest
burning) but expensive due to location (deep underground)
3. What is the first form of “true coal”? Lignite
4. What stage of coal is most often used to heat houses & burns “cleanly”? Bitumiunous
5. What is coal used for? Past – burned to heat homes, cook, fire pottery Present – burned to make electricity
6. Pros of using Coal Cons of using Coal
Inexpensive to get and use Releases sulfur dioxide that makes acid rain
Mining disturbs environment / habitats
Lowers water table, pollutes water
Causes smog
*increases CO2 that leads to global warming
7. What is the most serious environmental threat of using fossil fuels? Role in greenhouse effect?
*Increases CO2 that leads to global warming. CO2 is a “greenhouse gas”- a gas that stops the
Earth’s atmosphere from letting the heat from the sun escape back into space. CO2 helps trap the heat on the Earth, causing Global Warming.
8. Mining – Strip mining– extraction of coal by removing the layers of soil and rock on top of the coal.
Removes HUGE amounts of soil and rock
Subsurface mining – dig shafts deep into the ground to remove coal. “Classic” coal mine.
Acid drainage – when sulfide minerals in rocks exposed by strip mining react with oxygen and
rainwater to produce sulfuric acid. Acid then runs off into bodies of water and dissolves rocks, damagesplants etc.
9. What fossil fuel is predicted to last the longest? Coal (a lot of it around)
10. Coal rich / oil poor? USA
11. Which country has the most coal? Which uses the most? USA has the most coal, China uses the most
12. Energy trapped in fossil fuels is chemical energy. (from the plants that originally made the coal)
13. Mountain top removal – digging up and taking away a whole mountain to get at the coal inside
Petroleum & Natural Gas Note Sheet
Be detailed in your answers during the presentations – these are your only notes! You can use your book too…
1. How are Petroleum & Natural Gas made?
Petroleum is a liquid fossil fuel. Natural gas is a gaseous fossil fuel. Remains of plants and
animals living in the sea covered by sediments. Heat & pressure over millions of years chnges the remains to either a thick, syrupy liquid or gas.
2. found underground – in the spaces between the particles of rock (like a sponge)
Undergound pools – fills in the holes (spaces, pores) in rock deep underground.
3. What is petroleum mainly used for? Fuel – gasoline, diesel, jet fuel
4. products from petroleum (besides gasoline)? Grease, tires, soap, paint, asphalt (blacktop),
nylon / rayon & polyester (synthetic fibers), plastics, makeup, bubble gum…
5. “Crude” oil – unrefined (not changed) raw oil from the ground.
Refining – changing the crude oil, breaking it down into simpler substances to be used as a fuel
6. Most oil in US used for Fuel for transportation – gasoline, diesel, jet fuel
7. Natural gas found in the ground - in the spaces between the particles of rock (like a sponge)
trapped in “pockets” on top of petroleum deposits
8. What are the main gasses in Natural gas? Methane, butane, propane
9. Natural gas transported – by pipeline
10. How is natural gas used? Home heating, stoves, water heaters, clothes dryers, camping stoves, grills
11. Why is natural gas energy efficient? No need to change or refine it. Can be used as is, burned for
heat – no need to change it to Electricity like coal or oil.
12. Pros of using Petroleum & Natural Gas Cons of using Petroleum & Natural Gas
Inexpensive to get and use Releases sulfur dioxide that makes acid rain
Mining disturbs environment / habitats
Lowers water table, pollutes water
Causes smog
*increases CO2 that leads to global warming
13. Fracking – injecting water deep underground to “push” the oil close to surface
Environmental concerns – may cause earth quakes, ground collapse
Wind, Water & Solar Energy Note Sheet
Be detailed in your answers during the presentations – these are your only notes! You can use your book too…
1. Define Hydropower. Use the kinetic energy in moving water to make electricity
AKA: Kinetic (moving) energy
How do power plants work? 1. Water flows over turbine 2. turbine spins generator,
3. generator makes electricity. See diagram below.
[pic]
Effects to land and water ecosystems? Habitat destruction ( lake where the wasn’t one before,
cement dam across bottom), blocks fish migration, colder water released from bottom of dam
2. Describe energy from the tides (Tidal Power). Using the flow of the tides to generate electricity.
Almost like a “windmill” under water!
[pic] [pic]
Where does it have to be used – in an area of high tidal change, narrow bays like Alaska’s Cook inlet
or the Bay of Fundy in Canada.
Tidal Power Pros: Cons
non-polluting damage to bottom (benthic) community in ocean
renewable (tides flow all the time) potential harm sea life
free (after equipment is built!) Not everywhere has a big enough tide “swing”
3. What is Solar energy? The energy received by the Earth from the sun in the form of radiation. Sun uses
Nuclear fusion (joining of hydrogen & helium).
The sun provides energy for almost all life processes on Earth.
Define active solar. (know the diagram) When flat plate collectors use the sun’s heat to heat water for
use in a building. Flat plate collector – black box with black tubes with water pumped through so the sun can heat the water. Placed in the roof of a building.
uses of: Hot water for showers, dishes, pools…
[pic]
Define passive solar. (know the diagram) When a building faces south and lets the sun naturally
come in the windows for heat. No pumps, fans, collector plates – just the sun’s warmth!
uses of: Heat a house or building
[pic]
4. Define photovoltaic cell: thin semiconductor wafer that directly changes the light energy from the sun to
electricity
Uses (now & future): Now – calculators, small toys, watches Future - cars, houses, buildings
Solar Positives: non-polluting, free energy source, sun always will shine
Solar Negatives: Need a backup system for cloudy days, expensive to start
Uses (now & future): Now – calculators, small toys, watches Future - cars, houses, buildings
Solar Power Towers are a field of mirrors where the suns light is concentrate don a tower in the middle.
The heat from all the mirrors boils water in the tower that makes steam and makes electricity!
[pic]
7. Wind energy is indirectly a form of solar energy.
What causes wind? The sun’s uneven heating of the Earth’s surface causes wind.
What is a wind turbine (aerogenerator)? A “windmill” that makes electricity
How do they work? Blades are the turbines that spin the generator that makes electricity
Standard (typical) “windmill” See below. Spin on a vertical axis. Need higher wind speeds, make a
good amount of electricity.
[pic][pic]
Darrieus Rotor See below. Also know n as “eggbeaters”. Turn on a horizontal axis.
Can work in lower wind speeds, but produce less electricity.
[pic] [pic]
History of windmills – used for thousands of years to propel ships, grind grain and mill lumber. Now do
you understand the name “wind mill”? A mill powered by the wind…
Windmill farms are clusters of windmills all in one spot to generate more electricity.
Windmill Pros Cons
non-polluting loud
free energy source (the wind will blow!) take up space
birds fly into vanes (blades)
expensive to first build
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