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hydroelectricity electricity produced by water power hydrologic cycle The cycle through which water in the hydrosphere moves; includes such processes as evaporation, precipitation, and surface and groundwater runoff coriolis effect The way Earth's rotation makes winds in the Northern Hemisphere curve to the right and winds in the Southern Hemisphere curve to the left. gasohol a gasoline substitute consisting of 90% gasoline and 10% grain alcohol from corn. Helps reduce emissions of pollutants because it burns @ a much slower rate OTEC Ocean Thermal Energy Conservation glucose C6H12O6. simple carbohydrate formed by photosynthesis. 6 CO2 + ^ H2O + light --> C6H12O6 + 6 O2 solar constant the power density at the top of the atmosphere on the side of the earth directly facing the sun is 2 cal/min * cm^2 electrolux process used to refrigerate trombe wall a thermal storage wall consisting of an external glass skin and an inner wall with a layer of air between which warms the room behind it be convection. n-type silicon negatively charged silicon, Negatively charged silicon used in drain and source terminals p-type silicon positively charged silicon, When a charge is applied to the gate terminal, electrons in the p—silicon are drawn to the space between the source and drain terminals and form an electron channel. amorphous silicon A thin-film, silicon photovoltaic cell having no crystalline structure. Manufactured by depositing layers of doped silicon on a substrate. greenhouse effect warming that results when solar radiation is trapped by the atmosphere Name 2 elements that are semi-conductors carbon, germanium fresnel lens based on the principle consists of a series of concentric lens sections regressed into a planar array to provide a concentrated beam of light while also reducing the brightness of the source, providing a degree of glare control electromagnetic radiation the energy the earth receives from the sun. This form of energy includes visible light, infrared, ultraviolet, x-rays, and radiowaves geothermal of or relating to the heat in the interior of the earth wavelength The distance between crests of waves, such as those of the electromagnetic spectrum. infrared electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves ultraviolet having or employing wavelengths shorter than light but longer than X-rays active system System that uses solar collectors to capture energy from the sun and store it as heat for space heating and water heating. Liquid or air pumped through the collectors transfers the captured heat to a storage system such as an insulated water tank or rock bed. Pumps or fans then distribute the stored heat or hot water throughout a dwelling as needed. passive system System that captures sunlight directly within a structure and converts it into low-temperature heat for space heating or for heating water for domestic use without the use of mechanical devices. Compare active solar heating system. thermal mass a component of a building (such as concrete) that absorbs and stores heat or thermal energy during the day and releases it slowly at night concentration ratio the ratio of the net collecting aperture seen by the sun to the illuminated area of the receiver power tower huge arrays track the sun and focus sunlight on a central heat collection tower heliostat mirror that moves constantly to reflect the sun's rays photovoltaic cell a cell that converts solar energy into electrical energy semiconductor a substance as germanium or silicon whose electrical conductivity is intermediate between that of a metal and an insulator photon a particle of electromagnetic radiation having zero mass and carrying a quantum of energy photoelectric effect The emission of electrons from a material when light of certain frequencies shines on the surface of the material wind turbine a high tower with large, fan- like blades; used to convert, or change, wind power into electricity pumped storage ... solar spectrum 45% is in Infrared (IR) 46% is in Visible 9% is in Ultraviolet (UV) photosynthesis process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and high-energy carbohydrates such as sugars and starches photon a particle of electromagnetic radiation having zero mass and carrying a quantum of energy carbohydrates Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in the proportion of 1:2:1. chlorophyll a green pigment that is present in most plant cells, that gives plants their characteristic green color, and that reacts with sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to form carbohydrates sucrose C12H22O11. simple carbohydrate formed by photosynthesis ethanol oxygenated hydrocarbon, C2H5OH. one of the most common forms of alcohol