Energy - energy resources Flashcards
(17 cards)
Non-renewable energy resources:
-Coal
-Oil
-Natural gas
-Nuclear fuel (uranium or plutonium)
Renewable energy resources:
-Solar power
-Wind power
-Hydroelectric power (dams)
-Tidal power (underwater wind turbines)
-Wave power
-Geothermal energy .
-Biomass
renewable energy meaning
resources that will not run out because they are naturally replaced/replenished
non renewable energy meaning
resources that will eventually run out because they take millions of years to form and are being used faster than they are replaced
reliable energy source meaning
those that can produce electricity consistently and on demand, regardless of the weather or time of day
examples of reliable energy resources
fossil fuels (coal, gas), nuclear power
unreliable resources meaning
depend on natural conditions that may change, so they do not always produce electricity when needed.
examples of unreliable resources
solar power (depends on sunlight), wind power (depends on wind).
Explain the environmental impact of using different energy resources - Coal, oil, and natural gas
Burning these fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. They also produce air pollution (e.g., sulfur dioxide causing acid rain) and can cause oil spills or habitat destruction during extraction.
Explain the environmental impact of using different energy resources - Nuclear power
Produces low greenhouse gas emissions but creates radioactive waste, which is difficult to store safely and poses long-term environmental risks if leaked
Explain the environmental impact of using different energy resources - solar power
Produces no greenhouse gases during operation, but manufacturing solar panels requires energy and materials, which can have some environmental cost.
Explain the environmental impact of using different energy resources - wind power
Produces no emissions, but wind turbines can impact bird and bat populations and may cause noise pollution.
Explain the environmental impact of using different energy resources - hydroelectric power
Can cause flooding of large areas, destroying wildlife habitats and affecting local communities.
Explain the environmental impact of using different energy resources - tidal and wave power
Generally low impact but can affect marine ecosystems and coastal processes.
Explain the environmental impact of using different energy resources - biomass power
Produces carbon dioxide, but this is partly offset by the growth of new plants absorbing CO₂. However, large-scale biomass farming can lead to deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
Explain the environmental impact of using different energy resources - geothermal
Produces very low emissions but may release some harmful gases and can cause land instability in some areas.
Explain the environmental impact of using different energy resources - summary
Non-renewable resources often cause pollution and contribute to climate change, while renewable resources generally have lower environmental impact but may still affect ecosystems and wildlife in specific ways.
