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| 13111041800 | energy | the ability to do work =power*time | 0 | |
| 13111041801 | power | the rate at which work is done | 1 | |
| 13111046790 | joule | work done by applying a force of 1 newton for 1 meter | 2 | |
| 13111049844 | kinetic energy | energy of motion; temperature | 3 | |
| 13111052817 | potential energy | stored energy; chemical energy | 4 | |
| 13111056755 | first law of thermodynamics | Energy cannot be created or destroyed; can be converted | 5 | |
| 13111059768 | second law of thermodynamics | when energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is always degraded into lower quality energy (usually heat) | 6 | |
| 13111061793 | energy efficiency | The ratio of the amount of work done to the total amount of energy introduced to the system | 7 | |
| 13111064399 | energy quality | the ease with which an energy source can be used for the intended work; different energy sources have different qualities (gas=44MJ/kg, wood=20MJ/kg) | 8 | |
| 13111077442 | commercial energy | provided to homes and business by the energy industry | 9 | |
| 13111081147 | subsistence energy | gathered by people for home heating and cooking | 10 | |
| 13111085909 | energy categories | nonrenewable (oil, gas), renewable (wood, biofuel), nondepletable (solar, wind, geothermal) | 11 | |
| 13111102183 | commercial electricity generation (coal) | The burning fuel from coal transfers energy to water, which becomes steam. The kinetic energy contained within the steam is transferred to the blades of a turbine, a large device that resembles a fan. As the energy in the steam turns the turbine, the shaft in the center of the turbine turns the generator. This mechanical motion generates electricity. | 12 | |
| 13111120545 | coal | -the most abundant fossil fuel -Extraction has a high environmental impact -Burning releases lots of CO2 into the troposphere, plus sulfur dioxide and mercury -Also, negative side effects for human health (asthma, mercury poisoning) -reserves could last hundreds to over a thousand years. -The U.S. has 27% of the world's proven reserves, followed by Russia (17%), and China (13%). -In 2005, China and the U.S. accounted for 53% of the global consumption. | 13 | |
| 13111135228 | coal emission reduction methods | Selective catalytic reduction devices: converts NOx back to O2 and N2 Electrostatic precipitator: walls of container/smokestack are charged to attract charged particulates Baghouse: collects particulate matter like a vacuum cleaner filter Scrubber: removes sulfur dioxide and mercury, crush limestone with water to make a slurry and spray into emission spray, turns into gypsum (wallboard) Emissions are passed through a scrubber system that contains chemicals with which the sulfur and particulates will react, resulting in a precipitation before release to the atmosphere | 14 | |
| 13111149060 | crude oil | a thick liquid containing hydrocarbons; from underground deposits; marine microorganisms; only last for like 50 years | 15 | |
| 13111254732 | refining crude oil | boil, distillation column; settle out by density; most volatile at top |  | 16 |
| 13111285770 | natural gas | consists mostly of methane and is often found above reservoirs of crude oil | 17 | |
| 13111296726 | hydraulic fracturing (fracking) | Traditional: vertical wells are drilled. When shale rock is reached, water treated with chemicals and sand are blasted with high pressure into the shaft. This cracks open the shale rock and releases the gas. New: after a vertical shaft has been tapped, drilling continues horizontally, opening up lots more available shale and gas.This requires much greater quantities of water and chemicals. -groundwater contamination -surface water contamination -excessive water use -habitat destruction -earthquakes -methane leakage -subsidence of land -soil salinization heavy-metal build up | 18 | |
| 13115108557 | oil sands | Slow-flowing, viscous deposits of bitumen mixed with sand, water, and clay; -Uses large volumes of water to "pressure wash" the oil out of the sand -Huge amounts of toxic sludge (heavy metals, petroleum chemicals, acidic compounds) -Large inputs of energy to extract and process -Boreal forest clearcut and surface mined -Massive mounds of toxic tailings (heavy metals, petroleum chemicals, acidic compounds) | 19 | |
| 13115122471 | shale oil | Slow-flowing, dark brown, heavy oil obtained when kerogen is vaporized at high temperatures and then condensed. Can be refined to yield gasoline, heating oil, and other petroleum products. | 20 | |
| 13115130934 | coal bed methane | -trapped by overlying aquifers -released for extraction by pumping out water -produces less carbon dioxide than coal or oil sands -depletes aquifer -releases methane -contaminates water -degrades land | 21 | |
| 13115148390 | methane hydrates | methane trapped in ice crystals deep under the arctic permafrost and beneath deep-ocean sediments; tons of it; tends to be on plate boundaries | 22 | |
| 13115165232 | major emissions | Coal ("dirtiest"): CO2, SO2, Nitrate and sulfate particulates, Carbon particulates, Mercury, NOx (indirectly) Oil/gasoline (most used): CO2, CO, VOCs, Carbon particulates, NOx (indirectly) Natural gas ("cleanest burning"): CO2, CO, VOCs, Carbon particulates, NOx (indirectly) VOCs and NOx: combine to make tropospheric ozone (UV radiation and heat are the catalysts) | 23 | |
| 13115187760 | ANWR characteristics | -slow recovery rates -specialist species=sensitive to changes -simple food webs/low biodiversity=affect one species, affect them all -permafrost=lots of pollutants would be released if it melts -shallow soils=easily compacted by machines -nutrient-poor soils=slow recovery | 24 | |
| 13115212958 | ANWR drilling impacts | -tons of construction would be disruptive -increased air traffic -seismic surveying -waste disposal -habitat loss=lower biodiversity (loss of breeding grounds, food, shelter, water; disrupted migration and hibernation) | 25 | |
| 13115234792 | Dakota Access Pipeline | 26 | ||
| 13115237835 | Keystone Pipeline | 27 | ||
| 13115240408 | Offshore drilling in MA | Current administration has proposed opening up the Atlantic seaboard for offshore oil drilling. If this happens one site proposed for lease (federal waters) is Georges Bank. This is one of the most productive fishery sites in the country. | 28 | |
| 13115564684 | radioisotopes | -experience radioactive decay (loss of alpha or beta particles or gamma radiation) =atoms of 1 element physically change into another element | 29 | |
| 13115574061 | radioactive half life | the time it takes for half of the radioactive isotopes in a sample to decay to a new form | 30 | |
| 13115579813 | geological dating with uranium | -half life of 4.5 billion years -useful for dating rock formations -238 decays to stable lead | 31 | |
| 13115606787 | discovery of radioactive atoms | -1896: uranium radiation observed -1898: radiation consists of high energy particles -1919: N nuclei hit with alpha particles turned into O -1938: first fission reaction | 32 | |
| 13115623488 | nuclear reactions | -nucleic changes result in element transformations -small amount of matter releases large amounts of energy (less mass in products) | 33 | |
| 13115637601 | combustion | -atoms do not change, they are rearranged -mass of reactants=mass of products -energy is released as heat when bonds break | 34 | |
| 13115646550 | fission | A nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits after being hit with a neutron into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy; what is currently used | 35 | |
| 13115657185 | fusion | a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy; not currently done | 36 | |
| 13115796495 | nuclear energy source | power plants use U-235 derived from mining and enrichment | 37 | |
| 13115800464 | low-level nuclear waste | -radioactive solids, liquids, or fases that give off small amounts of ionizing radiation -sources: power plants, research labs, industries Low Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act 1980 and 1985: -all states must be responsible for disposal of non-defense relate waste produced within their borders | 38 | |
| 13115832554 | high level nuclear waste | -not safe for millions of years -radioactive solids, liquids, or gases that initially give off large amounts of ionizing radiation -sources: spent fuel rods, fuel rod assemblies, pool water -scientists disagree about storage | 39 | |
| 13115844117 | Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 | -US government must develop a permanent high level nuclear waste site Yucca Mountain: -congress IDed in 1987 -approved by congress in 2002 -rescinded by Obama in 2009 | 40 | |
| 13115865616 | risks of nuclear energy | -meltdown -acute radiation syndrome -chronic radiation for workers=carcinogenic over time -radiation into groundwater from stored waste -small scale persistent radiation to nearby communities | 41 | |
| 13115877346 | radiation and health | constantly exposed to natural (background radiation) and artificial radiation every day -300 millirems/yr from space, atmos, soil, food -60 millirems from manmade stuff (hospitals, radiowaves, cell phones, tobacco) | 42 | |
| 13115896366 | pros and cons of nuclear energy | Pros: -Does not produce air pollutants that burning fossil fuels does -No release of CO2 -Large amount of energy produced from small amount of uranium Cons: -Disposing of nuclear waste is difficult -Uranium is not renewable -Power plants expensive to build, takes 10+ years -Radioactive material harmful to living organisms and the environment | 43 | |
| 13115916720 | biomass | -wood, charcoal, peat, manure -sustainable if harvested correctly Pros: lots of it, cheap, no net CO2 w/correct harvesting, tree plantations can restore degraded land, put waste to good use Cons: improper harvesting=nonrenewable+CO2, burning causes air+water pollution, tree plantations=biodiv loss+take land from farming | 44 | |
| 13115946434 | biodiesel | -fuel from vegetable oil extracted from renewable resources Pros: lower CO2+CO+hydrocarbons, better gas mileage, high or moderate yield per crop, can be renewable Cons: NOxs, higher cost, takes land from food, loss+degrad of biodiversity, cah | 45 | |
| 13116092862 | biodiesel from microalgae | less land use then vegetable oil, less soil disturbance, decreased FF use, may be grown in wastewater | 46 | |
| 13116100502 | methane biogas | anaerobic digestion of organic material->methane capture->burn in an internal combustion engine to turn a turbine Benefits: reduction in methane released to atmosphere, reduction in amount of waste that needs to be disposed of, reduction in use of fossil fuels for electricity generation hard to do on a large scale | 47 | |
| 13116115751 | nondepletable energy sources | wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal | 48 | |
| 13116119693 | hydroelectricity | electricity generated by the kinetic energy of moving water; conventional, run-of-the-river, tidal, wave | 49 | |
| 13116125139 | conventional hydroelectric generation | Source of energy: potential and kinetic energy of dammed water propelling turbines and generator Amount of power depends on water volume and head (height difference between source and outflow) Environmental effects: -Once constructed, no energy waste -alters ecosystem, stress to life on either side of dam -Disables fish migration+access to spawning grounds -Lower amounts of dissolved oxygen in water -Prevents flooding -Build up of nutrients upstream, deficiency downstream -Lack of sediments downstream Cost/Efficiency: -$ to build plant -Low maintenance costs -Long lifetime for plants - around 50 years -Very high efficiency EX: Itaipú Dam | 50 | |
| 13116151351 | run-of-the-river | -Uses natural flow and elevation of river -Dam processes 95% of water flowing past -Different from conventional dams: doesn't store water -Can't match high/low demands | 51 | |
| 13116163348 | tidal energy | -energy that comes from the movement of water driven by the gravitational pull of the Moon -silt buildup, inhibit migrations, trap sediments, bad for fisheries, clear bird feeding ground, protect against storm tides -barrage: dam built across a bay, opens @ high tide, closes, reopens @ low tide | 52 | |
| 13116179266 | wave energy | the motion of waves is harnessed and converted from mechanical energy into electricity | 53 | |
| 13116182596 | solar energy | energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy | 54 | |
| 13116182597 | passive solar energy | Solar energy systems that collect energy without the use of mechanical devices -window placement -surfaces w/high solar inertia (trap heat) -solar ovens | 55 | |
| 13116190761 | active solar energy | solar radiation captured with photovoltaic cells that convert light energy to electrical energy Pros: No air or water pollution; can produce energy when needed during a heat wave/peak demand; more economical for isolated homes Cons: Expensive to make and install; making the PV cells takes lots of energy, water, and toxic metals; batteries have environmental risks | 56 | |
| 13116195376 | photovoltaic cell | capture light energy and convert it to electricity. Semi-conductors in the cells produce a low-voltage current when exposed to sunlight. | 57 | |
| 13116210948 | ground source heating system | uses heat energy in the soil to heat water; indirect solar (not geothermal); can also be used to cool | 58 | |
| 13116215313 | geothermal energy | -Heat that comes from radioactive decay of elements deep underground; the heat from the decay heats water that rises to surface. - nonrenewable if water is not returned to the ground for heating. -Commonly used to heat homes by circulating water through buildings. For electricity, the steam is used to turn turbines. | 59 | |
| 13116292941 | wind energy` | -The prevailing winds are created by the solar-energy driven convection currents. -The blades of the turbine are rotated by wind energy. The turbine is connected to a generator which converts the mechanical energy into electricity. -Pros: Non-depletable energy source; reduce: SO2+CO2+mercury+particulates+mining/drilling; no emissions; can share land with other uses Cons: Aesthetics; wildlife concerns; noise pollution, habitat fragmentation | 60 | |
| 13116317707 | hydrogen fuel cells | -similar to battery, but works as long as there's H2 -powers electric motor in a car -most H2 is made by heating nat gas to separate out hydrogen from hydrocarbons -H2 can also be made through electrolysis (break up H2O) which needs energy Pros: -Emits only water and heat -Fuel can be produced from water -Energy transfer efficiency is high -Good energy carrier/storage (as opposed to wind, solar...battery storage issues) Cons: -Production issues: using electricity (mostly from fossil fuels) to make energy, combusting natural gas creates CO2 -Storage issues: H2 is explosive and reactive, need big tanks in cars | 61 | |
| 13116340813 | ethanol | -Made of corn alcohol in its purest form -Can be mixed with unleaded gasoline -E10: 10% ethanol, 90% gasoline can be used by all cars -E85: 85% ethanol, 15% gasoline requires flexible fuel (Flex Fuel) vehicles -Midrange fuels: can be used on traditional car w/some modifications Pros: -Would help reduce foreign oil dependence -Domestic production = boost for economy -Cleaner burning -Reduces particulates and CO emissions -Flexible fuel vehicles can also run on gasoline Cons: -grown on land that could be used for crops -FFs used in growing | 62 |
