Alternative Resources 2/20/ pgs IN: Name three problems with fossil fuels.

Terms to Learn and Objectives Terms Nuclear energysolar energy wind energyhydroelectric energy biomassgasohol geothermal energy Objectives: Describe alternatives to using fossil fuels. List advantages and disadvantages to each.

The Need for Alternative Resources The energy needs of industry, transportation, and housing are increasingly met by electricity.

However… Most electricity is currently produced from fossil fuels, which are nonrenewable and cause pollution with burned.

Alternative Resources Nuclear Energy – the form of energy associated with changes in the nucleus of an atom.

Nuclear Energy Fission – when the nuclei of radioactive atoms are split and energy is released.

Pros Nuclear power plants provide alternative sources of energy without the problems that come with fossil fuels.

Cons Nuclear power plants produce dangerous radioactive wastes.

Yucca Mountain

Cons Nuclear power plants generate lots of heat. If a plant’s cooling system were to stop working the plant would overheat and large amount a radiation would escape into the environment.

Alternative Energy Sources Solar Energy – energy from the Sun.

Pros After the purchase of equipment the energy is free. The energy does not create pollution. The energy is unlimited.

Alternative Energy Sources Wind Energy – energy that comes from the wind.

Alternative Energy Sources Hydroelectric Energy – electricity produced by falling water.

Alternative Energy Sources Biomass – organic matter, such as plants, wood, and waste, that contains stored energy.

Alternative Energy Sources Gasohol – a mixture of gasoline and alcohol that is burned as fuel.

Alternative Energy Sources Geothermal Energy – energy produced by the heat within the Earth’s crust.

OUT: List 2 energy alternatives to fossil fuels, and give one advantage and one disadvantage of each alternative.