Environmental Science Chapter 11 Notes #2
Review Nonrenewable resources Renewable Resources Fossil Fuels The energy of fossil fuels is most commonly turned into electricity A fuel’s suitability (5 Things) Availability, Cost, Energy content, Safety, By products In the US the main use of energy is for creating electricity Electricity/ Electric Generator
Energy Basics Where do we get electricity? Power Plants Fossil Fuel Power Plants Nuclear Power Plants Power Plants create electricity and that electricity is carried though a distribution grid When an electrical pole goes down, why does it affect more than one home?
Fossil Fuel Power Plants 1. Fossil Fuels are burned They contain much energy that is released in the form of heat (this is a chemical reaction) 2. The heat turns water into steam 3. The steam is directed at the blades of a turbine, causing them to spin 4. The turbine is connected to a generator, the coils of the generator are moved through a magnetic field, creating electricity, which is sent out to the distribution grid
Fossil Fuel Power Plants
Nuclear Power Plants
1. Nuclear Reactor runs fission reactions They contain much energy that is released in the form of heat (this is a nuclear reaction) 2. The heat turns water into steam 3. The steam is directed at the blades of a turbine, causing them to spin 4. The turbine is connected to a generator, the coils of the generator are moved through a magnetic field, creating electricity, which is sent out to the distribution grid
Nuclear Power Plants