Transcript Energy Resources 14-2

ENERGY RESOURCES
14-2
Objective: To know some of Earth’s natural resources can be
used for energy, usually through conversion to electricity.
Fossil Fuels


Fossil Fuels formed in
Earth’s crust over
hundreds of millions of
years.
They are nonrenewable
resources because they
cannot form as fast as
they are used.

Coal, oil, and natural
gas are examples of ff’s.
Energy from Fossil Fuels


People use fossil fuels
as the primary source
for energy.
Fossil fuels contain a
lot of stored energy
and burn easily to
heat water and make
steam.
Formation of Fossil Fuels

They are made from
dead plants and
organisms that have
died and have been in
the ground for
hundreds of millions of
years.
Oil Formation

Microscopic plants and
bacteria are the main
source of oil.
1. Some of these
organisms were
producers, using
energy from the Sun to
make food for growth
and reproduction.
When they died, they
fell to the seafloor.
2. The microscopic
organisms were buried
under clay.
3. Many layers of clay
and mud increased the
pressure and
temperature, forming
liquid oil.
Coal Formation

Coal is the most abundant of
all the fossil fuels.
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1. Coal formed the
incomplete decay of plants.
2. The partially decayed
plant material, called peat,
becomes sandwiched between
layers of sediment.
3. Soft coal forms under
moderate pressure and heat.
4. As more heat and pressure
are applied, the soft coal
becomes hard coal.
Natural Gas Formation

Natural gas forms along with oil.
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1. Because it is less dense than
oil, natural gas is usually found
above oil deposits.
2. At low temperatures, more oil
is produced relative to natural
gas. At higher temperatures,
however, more natural gas is
created, as opposed to oil.
Natural gas is usually associated
with oil in deposits that are 13km below Earth’s crust.
3. Natural gas is found in areas
beneath layers of solid rock. The
rock prevents the gas from
escaping to the surface.
Coal continued…
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Coal near Earth’s surface can be
extracted by stripping away the
land surface.
Strip mining is cost effective if
the coal is close to the surface.
Underground Mines are created
by digging down into Earth at an
angle to form tunnels.
Underground mines must be
supported by beams and pillars.
Miners must wear masks to be
protected from polluted air.
To inhale the black coal dust can
dangerous to your lungs, and
many miners suffered from a
disease called the Black Lung.
Alternatives to Fossil Fuels
Alternative energy sources, including water, wind, ocean waves, and natural heat
sources beneath Earth’s surface can be used to produce electricity.

1. Hydroelectric Power:
 Is
a renewable energy
source. Large dams
block the flow of water
from major rivers and
create lakes behind
the dams. As the water
moves through the
dams, turbines
generate electricity.

2. Wind Energy:
Wind towers require a
steady wind that is not
too strong or too weak.
Wind towers connect to
generators.
 It is a renewable method,
but because of the lack
of consistent wind
prevents it from being a
sole source of electricity.

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Geothermal Energy:
 Is
the heat energy near
Earth’s crust.
 The extreme heat
found near geysers
and volcanoes can be
used to generate
steam for electricity.
 It is clean, renewable,
and safe.
Nuclear Energy: All matter is made of atoms. These atoms can be
split apart and release a large amount of energy.

When these atoms are
split apart it releases an
energy called Nuclear
Fission.

When the atoms split, the
energy that is released
heats water in the
reactor. Steam is
produced and turns the a
turbine. The turbine runs
a generator that creates
electricity.

In a nuclear fusion
reaction, two atoms of
hydrogen that are
heavier than normal,
called deuterium, join
together to form one
atom. This is the same
type of reaction that
powers the Sun.
Solar Energy

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Sunlight is a renewable
resource because we
can never use up all the
energy from the Sun.
Solar energy converts
the light and heat
energy from the Sun.

Solar panels are made
up of tiny solar cells and
store the energy in a
series of batteries for
later use.
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Biomass: Is the organic
matter in plants that
can be used to
produce fuels.
Wave Energy: You can
harness the energy
from waves in the
ocean.