Resources for Energy
State Objective 4.d.
What are Resources?
•Natural resources are the parts of the environment that are useful or necessary for the survival of living organisms.
Two Types of Resources
•Renewable resources are resources that are constantly being recycled or replaced by nature. For example, sunlight, water, and air.
Renewable Resources
Two Types of Resources
•Nonrenewable resources are resources that are used up more quickly than they are replaced. –Ex. Minerals, metals, & fossil fuels
Nonrenewable Resources
Most energy used by humans comes from fossil fuels.
Energy Use
Fossil Fuels
• Made of hydrocarbons, compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen atoms.
• Combustion is the process of burning fossil fuels to release energy. – Carbon dioxide and water are two other
products of combustion.
Coal
• Coal is a sedimentary rock formed from dead plant matter that is buried underwater– Most is used for electrical power plants.
Petroleum (Oil)
• Petroleum (oil) is a mineral made from the remains of dead marine organisms buried in Earth’s crust. – Provides one-third of world’s energy. – Can be turned into gasoline, diesel fuel,
paints, and plastics.
Natural Gas
• Natural gas is a colorless, odorless gas made mostly of methane– Made mostly of methane but contains other gases.– Often found with oil deposits.
Alternative Energy Sources
• Why is it important that we find alternatives to fossil fuels? Give at least three reasons.
Alternative Energy SourcesHydroelectric power is
produced when falling water is used to turn the turbine in an electric generator. No pollution is produced but building dams can damage habitats.
Hydroelectric Power
Pickwick Dam
Alternative Energy Sources
Wind power generates electricity by using windmills to turn the blades of a generator.
Alternative Energy Sources
Nuclear energy is released when the nuclei of uranium atoms are split apart. Energy is used to produce steam to turn the blades of a generator.
Does not produce air pollution but does produce radioactive wastes.
Nuclear Power
Alternative Energy Sources
Geothermal energy is heat energy contained in Earth’s crust. Used to produce steam to generate electricity.
Geothermal Energy
Alternative Energy SourcesBiomass is a renewable energy
source made from living or recently living organisms. Examples include garbage, wood,
wastes, landfill gases.
Biomass
Alternative Energy SourcesSolar energy is the leading
alternative to fossil fuels because it is inexhaustible and produces no pollution. Very expensive. Photovoltaic cells are devices that
convert light energy into electric energy.
Solar Panels
Human Effect on the Environment
Pollution
PollutionA pollutant is any substance
that contaminates the environment.
Examples of air pollutants include smoke, ash, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect is the
natural trapping of the Sun’s heat by the Earth’s atmosphere. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane.
Greenhouse Effect
Global WarmingAs more CO2 is added, the atmosphere traps more heat, causing global warming.
Effects of Global Warming It changes rainfall patterns. It may increase the amount
of storms and hurricanes. It could cause the polar ice
caps to melt.
Global WarmingSea-level rise is an increase in
sea level that may be caused by global warming.
Ozone DepletionThe ozone layer of the
atmosphere absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun.
Ozone depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer. Allows more UV radiation to reach
Earth and could cause an increase in skin cancer.
CFCs
Effects of Overpopulationinadequate freshwaterdepletion of natural resourcesincreased pollutionloss of biodiversity or entire ecosystems
global warmingmass extinctions
How Can We Help?
Conserving Resources & the Environment
Ways to Conserve Energy 1. Turn off lights when not in use.
Ways to Conserve Energy
2. Car pool or use public transportation.
Ways to Conserve Energy
3. Walk or ride a bicycle.
Ways to Conserve Energy
4. Use energy efficient appliances and bulbs.
Ways to Conserve Energy
5. Research new ways to depend more on alternate energy sources.
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