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Study Guide for Fossil Fuels & Alternative Energy Test

moved to Friday, January 18th
33 multiple choice questions worth 3 points each = 99 points. No free-response or problem-solving.

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Mr.Sahas note Although most of us have not even woken up from our post-holidays slumber, it is already unfortunately time for a test. Dictated by the timing of the CRCT and thus the Earth Science curriculum, we have to cover a lot of ground so we can be more than well-prepared for that dreaded test. As usual, we will have a lot of fun (cookies anyone?!), but it is time to buckle in your seatbelts! Overview of energy A natural resource is anything found in nature that can be used as energy (all of the energy sources we have discussed are natural resources). Regardless of what it is, the source of ALL energy on earth is the sun. There are two types of natural resources: nonrenewable and renewable. 90% of the USAs energy consumption comes from nonrenewable energy resources, which some scientists believe will begin to run out as early as 2060! We still use nonrenewable energy because it is cheaper and more efficient, but it is very harmful to the environment and it will one day run out. Renewable energy is much cleaner for the environment and will not run out it is the future of energy but today the technology to use it is still too expensive. Renewable energy sources Solar (sun) Wind (air) Hydroelectric (H2O) Geothermal (heat from Earth) Wood Biomass (organic waste) Non-renewable energy sources *Natural gas (animal remains) *Petroleum or crude oil (animal remains) *Coal (plant remains) Nuclear (splitting Uranium atoms) (* = fossil fuel obtained from drilling/mining)

Production > Consumption

Advantages of renewable energy Cleaner for environment Does not interrupt nature It will not run out It is always available Solar energy can be most powerful source It is the future of energy

Consumption > Production

Advantages of nonrenewable energy 3x more efficient Cheaper to use Easier to harness Easier to transport Easier to store Does not have to be converted

Non-renewable energy Fossil fuels Fossil = old ; fuel = energy. Smog is when pollution from fossil fuels combine with the air.

Fossil fuels may take millions of years to form but are consumed instantly. Fossil fuels are found underground so one must drill and mine to harness them.

Natural gas (gaseous fossil fuel) Like petroleum, natural gas is formed over millions of years from decomposed animal remains. These plant remains are stored in rocks underground called permeable rocks. Natural gas is usually used for heating but can be used for electricity. Natural gas are hydrocarbons meaning they consist of hydrogen and carbon o Examples: methane, propane, butane Petroleum or crude oil (liquid fossil fuel) Like natural gas, petroleum is formed over millions of years from decomposed animal remains. These plant remains are stored in rocks underground called permeable rocks. Petroleum is used as energy for forms of transportation The process of separating/refining crude oil is called distillation. o Examples: gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel Coal (solid fossil fuel) Coal is formed over millions of years when pressure and heat cause changes in decomposed plant remains Stages of coal formation is: 1. Peat 2. Lignite coal 3. Bituminous coal 4. Anthracite coal Renewable energy or alternative energy Wind energy Harnessed from wind farms Uneven heating of the Earths surface by the suns energy causes wind Hydroelectric energy Harnessed by dams that use the force of gravity to convert H2O energy. The energy from the sun powers the H2O cycle. Conservation of energy Saving energy by decreasing our consumption of energy (for example heat, light, water). You may do things like turning off the lights when leaving your room, putting extra insulation in the roof of your home (to keep heat in), using solar power to heat your home, or turning off the water when youre not using it. You want to keep the heat inside, use less light, and use less water. Recycling turns old products into new products (paper, plastic, glass can be recycled) You must know the names of the devices show below that are used to harness alternative energy. Disregard the city names (Alexandria, Wheaton, Glen Arm, Silver Spring) directly under.

Nuclear plant

Wind farm

Solar panels

Hydroelectric dam

Geothermal plant