Table of Contents Fossil Fuels Renewable Sources of Energy Nuclear Energy Energy Conservation

Energy Transformation and Fuels - Fossil Fuels Energy Transformation and Fuels When fuels are burned, the chemical energy that is released can be used to generate another form of energy, such as heat, light, motion, or electricity.

What Are Fossil Fuels? - Fossil Fuels Coal is a solid fossil fuel formed from plant remains.

What Are Fossil Fuels? - Fossil Fuels Crude oil is first pumped out of the ground and then refined. In the refining process, crude oil is heated and separated to make different products.

Fuels and Electricity - Fossil Fuels The circle graph shows which energy sources are used to produce electricity in the United States.

Fuels and Electricity - Fossil Fuels Reading Graphs: What does each wedge of the circle represent? The percentage of total U.S. electricity that is produced using the labeled energy source

Fuels and Electricity - Fossil Fuels Interpreting Data: Which energy source is used to generate most of the electricity in the United States? Coal

Fuels and Electricity - Fossil Fuels Drawing Conclusions: What percentage of the electricity production in the United States relies on fossil fuels? 70.8% (59.3% coal, 9.3% natural gas, 2.2% petroleum)

Fuels and Electricity - Fossil Fuels Predicting: How might the circle graph differ 50 years from now? Give reasons to support your prediction. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas might decrease because they are in limited supply; nuclear and hydroelectric energy sources might increase to replace fossil fuels.

Building Vocabulary - Fossil Fuels Using a word in a sentence helps you think about how best to explain the word. After you read the section, reread the paragraphs that contain definitions of Key Terms. Use all the information you have learned to write a meaningful sentence using each Key Term. Key Terms: Key Terms: Examples: petrochemicals Examples: energy transformation combustion fuel Petrochemicals, which are also made from oil, are used to make medicines, plastics, paints, and cosmetics. An example of energy transformation is combustion, when a fuel is burned and chemical energy is released. petroleum fossil fuels hydrocarbons Oil, also called petroleum, is one of the fossil fuels, which are made up of energy-rich hydrocarbons. refinery Many products that come from oil are produced in a refinery, where oil is heated and separated.

Click the SciLinks button for links on fossil fuels.

End of Section: Fossil Fuels

Harnessing the Sun’s Energy - Renewable Sources of Energy Harnessing the Sun’s Energy Passive and active solar systems convert solar energy into heat and electricity in a solar house.

Tapping Earth’s Energy - Renewable Sources of Energy Tapping Earth’s Energy A geothermal power plant uses heat from Earth’s interior as an energy source to produce electricity.

Previewing Visuals - Renewable Sources of Energy Write two questions that you have about the diagram “Harnessing the Sun’s Energy” in a graphic organizer like the one below. Then, answer your questions. Solar House Q. How does the house capture solar energy? A. Active solar collectors on the roof, large windows on the south and west sides that act as passive solar collectors Q. What does the equipment that is on the roof do? A. Active solar cells on the roof generate electricity that can be stored in a battery in the basement. Q. What is the difference between active and passive solar heating systems? A. Both convert sunlight into thermal energy, but only active systems use pumps and fans to distribute heat.

Renewable Energy Resources - Renewable Sources of Energy Renewable Energy Resources Click the Video button to watch a movie about renewable energy resources.

Links on Renewable Energy - Renewable Sources of Energy Links on Renewable Energy Click the SciLinks button for links on renewable energy.

End of Section: Renewable Sources of Energy

Nuclear Fission - Nuclear Energy Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atom’s nucleus into two smaller nuclei.

Nuclear Power Plants - Nuclear Energy In a nuclear power plant, the heat released from fission reactions is used to change water into steam. The steam then turns the blades of a turbine to generate electricity.

Nuclear Power Plant Activity - Nuclear Energy Nuclear Power Plant Activity Click the Active Art button to open a browser window and access Active Art about nuclear power plants.

The Quest to Control Fusion - Nuclear Energy The Quest to Control Fusion In nuclear fusion, two hydrogen nuclei combine to create a helium nucleus, which has slightly less mass than the two hydrogen nuclei. The lost mass is converted to energy.

Comparing and Contrasting - Nuclear Energy Comparing and Contrasting As you read, compare fission and fusion reactions in a Venn diagram like the one below. Write the similarities in the space where the circles overlap and the differences on the left and right sides. Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion Releases large amounts of energy Uses hydrogen Uses uranium Produces energy Loses small amounts of mass Combines nuclei Splits nuclei

End of Section: Nuclear Energy

Energy Conservation - Energy Conservation Energy conservation means reducing energy use.

Using Prior Knowledge - Energy Conservation Before you read, write what you know about energy efficiency and conservation in a graphic organizer like the one below. As you read, write what you learn. What You Know I can turn off lights to conserve energy. I can walk instead of riding in a car when possible. What You Learned One way to preserve our current energy resources is to increase efficiency. One method of increasing efficiency of heating and cooling systems is to use insulation. Compact fluorescent bulbs use about one fourth as much energy as incandescent light bulbs.

End of Section: Energy Conservation

Graphic Organizer Energy Type Advantage Disadvantage Coal Oil Solar Easy to transport Pollutes air Oil Produces large amounts of energy Nonrenewable Renewable, does not pollute Solar Requires sunshine Renewable, does not pollute Requires steady winds, generators noisy Wind Hydroelectric Dams cause environmental harm No pollution Renewable, does not pollute Limited availability, deep drilling expensive Geothermal Nuclear Produces huge amount of energy Radioactive waste

End of Section: Graphic Organizer