Science: Nonrenewable energy Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is oil?
A liquid fossil fuel formed from marine organisms that is used in transportation and in the manufacture of plastics. It is recovered by drilling.
Oil is a thick, black, liquid fossil fuel.
What is coal?
A solid fossil fuel formed from decayed plants that is mainly used for electricity.
Coal is a resource that is mined.
What is nuclear power?
The use of controlled nuclear reactions (splitting atoms), used to make electricity (not a fossil fuel).
Nuclear power does not produce greenhouse gases during operation.
What is natural gas?
A gas used as a fuel typically to heat homes or to cook with. It is a fossil fuel that burns the cleanest.
Natural gas is in the gaseous state.
What are the types of coal?
Anthracite, lignite, bituminous.
These types vary in carbon content and energy output.
What are the advantages of oil?
- Found in lots of places around the world
- Convenient to transport and use
- Reliable
Oil’s widespread availability contributes to its use in various industries.
What are the advantages of coal?
- Inexpensive
- Available in many places around the world
- Provides jobs
- Easy to transport
Coal’s affordability makes it a popular energy source, particularly for electricity generation.
What are the advantages of natural gas?
- Less damage to the environment
- Burns cleaner
- Inexpensive
- Readily available
Natural gas is often seen as a transitional fuel towards cleaner energy sources.
What are the advantages of nuclear power?
- Low pollution
- Need a small amount to produce a lot of energy
- Easy to transport
- Reliable
Nuclear energy is considered a low-carbon energy source.
What are the disadvantages of oil?
- Greenhouse gases are released when burned
- Spills are dangerous to the environment
Environmental risks associated with oil spills can have long-term ecological impacts.
What are the disadvantages of coal?
- Releases impurities (e.g. sulfur dioxide) into the air when burned
- Releases greenhouse gases
- Soot is left behind
- Mining is a dangerous job
Coal mining can pose significant health risks to workers and environmental concerns.
What are the disadvantages of natural gas?
- Expensive to transport
- Creates greenhouse gases when burned
- Leaks are dangerous (can cause explosions)
Natural gas leaks can lead to serious safety hazards and environmental issues.
What are the disadvantages of nuclear power?
- Mining uranium
- Spills can be disastrous
- Plants are expensive to build
- Left with radioactive waste to store
The management of radioactive waste remains a key challenge in nuclear energy.
What is fracking?
The pumping of water at high pressure to break apart rocks in order to release natural gas.
Fracking has been controversial due to its environmental impacts.
How is energy produced from fossil fuels?
It is burned, then heats water which turns to steam, which turns a turbine in a generator.
This process is fundamental to many electricity generation methods.
Define fossil fuel.
Coal, oil, natural gas, came from plants and animals buried and subjected to lots of pressure and heat over millions of years.
Fossil fuels are a primary source of energy but have significant environmental impacts.
