Energy Resources Natural resource that can be converted by humans into forms of energy in order to do useful work!

Nonrenewable Energy resources that cannot be replaced after they have been used or need thousands to millions of years to be replaced.

Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels are energy resources that formed from the buried remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. The plants stored energy from the sun during photosynthesis. (CO2 + H2O  Glucose + O2) ( in sunlight ) Animals stored this same energy by eating the plants. So, fossil fuels are concentrated forms of the sun’s energy!

The higher the carbon content, the cleaner the fuel burns.

Examples of Fossil Fuels Coal Petroleum Natural Gas Propane

The pioneers who settled the American West often dug wells to find water. Occasionally, they were disappointed because they struck oil, for which they had no use!

Electrical Energy from Fossil Fuels Burning fossil fuels is the primary source of energy in the United States. The heat from this burning is used to turn a generator, which makes electricity.

Uranium Nuclear power plants use fission to generate thermal energy that boils water to produce steam. The steam turns a turbine, which rotates a generator that converts K.E.  electrical energy.

Nuclear Fission

Renewable Energy Resources An energy resource that can be used and replaced in nature within a short period of time.

Renewable Energy Resources Solar Hydropower (water) Wind Geothermal Biomass