Topic 4.0 – Society and Electricity

I. Ways to Produce Electrical Energy A. Using Thermal Energy (Heat) o Coal: Is burned to produce heat o Nuclear Fission : Uranium atom is split to produce heat o Geothermal : Steam from beneath the Earth’s surface is used to drive turbines. o Biomass: Biodegradable garbage is burned to produce heat. o Cogeneration: Taking heat from a manufacturing process and using it to heat water to steam.

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I. Ways to Produce Electrical Energy A. Using Thermal Energy (Heat) Basic Steps: 1. Heat is used to boil water. (thermal energy) 2. Water turns to steam. 3. Steam turns a turbine (mechanical energy) 4. Turbine is connected to generator which produces electrical energy.

I. Ways to Produce Electrical Energy B. Using Hydroelectric Basic Steps: 1. Water is held behind a dam. 2. When reservoir opens, water falls down on a turbine. (mechanical energy) 3. Turbine is connected to generator which produces electrical energy.

I. Ways to Produce Electrical Energy C. Alternative Energy Sources o Tides: moving water in ocean moves turbines o Wind : wind moves windmills connected to turbines. o Sunlight : sunlight excites electrons in solar panels o Batteries: Use chemical energy to create electrical energy

I. Ways to Produce Electrical Energy D. Renewable vs. Non-renewable Resources Renewable resources Renewable resources – those that can be replaced over short periods of time. Some are continually made. Ex. Wind, Tidal, Solar, Geothermal, Biomass Non-renewable resources- Non-renewable resources- those that cannot be replaced if used up Ex. Coal, Nuclear, Oil, Natural gas

II. Electricity and the Environment o The burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas) release the following into the air: o SO 2 – causes acid rain o NOx – causes air pollution o CO 2 – is a known greenhouse gas Sidenote: Greenhouse gases increase the Earth’s average temperature

Mining for coal involves strip mining. It is the process of removing all plants and animals from the area and digging up scoops of coal.

o When generating electricity, water is needed and warm water is released back into the river. o This alters the temperature of the lake/river and can kill organisms. (Wabamun) o Called thermal pollution

II. Electricity and the Environment o Nuclear energy produces radioactive wastes that cannot be disposed of. o Hydroelectric uses dams which can flood hectares of land o Wind farms/ solar energy requires large amounts of land.

II. Electricity and the Environment Even though some energy sources are considered “green” they all cause problems for our environment.

II. Electricity and the Environment Sustainability – the idea of using resources at a rate that can be used indefinitely (forever). This includes: ◦ Using renewable sources of energy ◦ Reducing personal energy consumption - conservation Conservation - reducing your own personal consumption of energy

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