Transcript Notes #1
Environmental Science Chapter 11 Notes #1 Review Nonrenewable resources Any resource being used more quickly than it can be replaced Example = fossil fuels They are not considered renewable because they take so long to be created, and we use them at such fast rates Renewable Resources Continually produced as we use them Example - wind Review Fossil Fuels Remains of organisms that lived millions of years ago Examples = coal, oil, natural gas/methane Oil and natural gas generally are the result of tiny marine organisms that accumulated on the ocean floor millions of years ago. Coal is generally formed from organisms that lived in swamps are buried by sediments Methane can also be created when bacteria decompose organic waste Energy Basics What is the United State’s main source of energy? Fossil Fuels Advantage: they are very versatile in their uses Disadvantage: Air pollution (sulfur and carbon dioxide) and we are using them too quickly The energy of fossil fuels is most commonly turned into electricity Energy Basics About 20% of the world’s nonrenewable energy comes from methane/natural gas The US relies more on oil and coal A fuel’s suitability depends on 5 things: Availability Cost Energy content Safety By products It is hard to predict production of the fuels we require due to changes in technology, cost, and how many deposits are discovered Energy Basics Quick Facts In the US the main use of energy is for creating electricity Energy is used also for transportation and industry, and commercial, public, and residential use The price of almost every product you use reflects the cost of energy Why is a nation’s energy supply not only important to its economy, but also its stability and international influence? Energy Basics Electricity = flow of electrons To get the electrons to move: move a conductive material through a magnetic field Electric generator = device for converting mechanical energy into electricity See pic on page 280 Energy Basics Where do we get electricity? Power Plants Fossil Fuel Power Plants Nuclear Power Plants Power Plants create electricity and that electricity is carried though a distribution grid When an electrical pole goes down, why does it affect more than one home?