Unit 6 Environmental Science Final
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30 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Fossil Fuel | The remains of ancient organisms that changed into coal, oil, or natural gas. A nonrenewable energy resource |
| Advantages of producing energy by burning fossil fuesl | Can be used for cooking, transportation, cooling and headting buildings, manufacturing, and gerating elecricity to run machines and appliances. |
| Disadvantages of producing energy by burning fossil fuels | Supply is limited. Obtaining and using them can cause environmental problems |
| Nuclear energy | The energy released by a fission or splitting of an atom. the binding energy of the atomic nucleus |
| Advantages sof nuclear energy | Nuclear energy is a very concentrated energy source Nuclear power plants do not produce greenhouse gases When operated properly, nuclear plants release less radioactivity than coal fired power plants Countries with limited fossil fuels can use nuclear power (ex. France) |
| Disadvantages of nuclear energy | Very expensive to build and maintain a safe reactor. The reactors in the U.S. cost $3000 per kilowat Wind power and natural gas plants are far less expensive Diffuclty to find a safe place to store nuclear waste. Safety concerns |
| Energy efficiency | The percentage of energy put into a system that does useful work. The efficiency of a lightbulb is the proportion of electrical energy that reaches the bulb and converted into light energy rather than heat |
| Energy Conservation | Saving energy by reducing energy use and waste. Like walking to work instead of driving |
| Solar energy | Energy that comes from their sun |
| Example of solar energy | Active solar heating |
| Advantages of solar energy | non polluting power from the sun. Nearly all renewable energy comes from the sun directly or indirectly |
| Disadvantages of solar energy | Solar cells produce a very small electric current so meeting the electricity needs of a small city would require covering hundreds of acres of solar panels. REquire extended periods of sunshine |
| Wind Energy | Energy that comes from wind - converts the movement of wind into electric energy |
| Advantage of wind energy | Cost effective and can be built in 3 motnths |
| Disadvantage of wind energy | Requires space so can't be placed in cities. Transporting electricity from rural areas where it is generated to urban centers where it is needed is a proglem |
| Biomass | Plant material, manure and any other organic matter used as an energy source |
| Advantage of biomass | Renewable, available almost anywhere |
| Disadvantage of biomass | Deforestation, soil reosion, habitat loss |
| Hydroelectric energy | Energy produced from moving water and coverted into electrical energy |
| Advantage of hydroelectric energy | Inexpensive to operate, do not release air pollutants |
| Disadvantage of hydroelectric energy | Dams are expensive to build. A dam can change river flow patterns and disrupt ecosystems. Dam failure could cause death or destruction of habitat |
| Geothermal energy | Energy produced by heat within the Earth |
| Advantage of geothermal energy | Temperature of ground is nearly constant year round, Renewable |
| Disadvantage of geothermal energy | Water in ground needs to be maintained carefully so it doesn't deplete |
| Tidal energy | The movement of water in the oceans and seas caused by gravitational attraction between the sun, earth, and moon is used to generate energy similar to hydroelectric power |
| Advantage of tidal energy | Renewable, no pollution |
| Disadvantage of tidal energy | Costly and few locations are suitable to use it |
| Example of a technological advancement that has had a positive effect on the environment | Hybrid cars are small, efficient gas and electric motor vehicles. To save fuel, hybrid cars shut off th egas engine when not in use, such as while idling |
| How does an economic incentive effect the environmednt | Would encourage more pople to use alternative energy or energy saving appliances or equipment |
| How can citizens affect environmental policy at the local, state, and national level | Contact senators and representatives, vote, spread the word in your community |
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