Would you like to review some vocabulary related to energy?
First, let’s review the two basic types of energy:
a) Potential
b) Kinetic
Do you know what are the five basic forms of energy?
1- Mechanical
2- Heat
3- Electromagnetic
4- Nuclear
5- Chemical
The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it only changes form.
Energy Vocabulary
Biomass:
Living materials (wood, vegetation, etc.) which provide fuel.
Chemical energy:
Energy that bonds atoms or ions.
Conversion of energy:
Change from one form of energy to another.
Electromagnetic energy:
Energy of moving electric charges.
Energy:
The ability to do work.
Fossil fuel:
Fuel formed over millions of years by buried plant and animal remains. As the remains are buried deeper over time, heat and pressure transform them into fossil fuels such as coal, oil, or natural gas.
Heat energy:
Internal motion of particles of matter.
Kinetic energy:
Energy that a moving object has due to its motion.
Mechanical energy:
Energy associated with motion.
Nonrenewable resource:
A resource which is depleted with use, or can not be
used again.
Nuclear energy:
Energy in the nucleus of an atom.
Potential energy:
Energy stored in an object due to its position.
Renewable resource:
A resource which can be used repeatedly without affecting
the supply.
Solar power: (also radiant energy)
Energy given off by the sun.
Water power: (also hydropower)
Energy provided by the movement of water.
Wind power:
Energy provided by the movement of wind currents.
Work:
The movement of an object over a distance due to force applied to the object.
How confident do you feel talking about renewable energy? Could you expand on the following concepts?
Sunlight
Solar energy is energy derived from the sun. The sun is a renewable energy source.
Food
Why do we take a break to eat lunch? (Food gives us energy to make it through the rest of the afternoon.) Without adequate food we would be less active and eventually become weak or sick.
Water
Besides being used for a lot of other things, hydroelectric power plants use water to generate electricity. Falling water turns the plant’s turbine generators. Water is also necessary to grow food and maintain all forms of life.
Wind
Moving air is the energy source. Does the wind have enough energy that it can push you around? Can the wind move a sailboat? Wind is a renewable energy source.
Wood or Biomass
When wood is burned in the fireplace, it warms the room. Wastes are produced when this energy source is used; ash, smoke. Sometimes an energy source produces wastes.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity is a common form of energy. There are many sources of electricity outlets, solar cells, batteries, etc. You can demonstrate that electricity is what makes the hair blower work. You can also demonstrate static electricity by scooting your feet on a carpet or combing someone’s hair and watching it stand up.
NATURAL GAS
Natural gas is formed under similar conditions as oil from dead and decaying plant and animal life that lived millions of year ago in swampy, warm conditions. When drilling, gas is usually found in layers above oil since gas is lighter. Natural gas is piped to homes and is used to light stoves, heat water and run our furnaces. Some students may have gas fireplaces in their homes. Explain the additive, Mercaptan, that alerts people to the presence of harmful natural gas.
NUCLEAR
This energy comes from uranium fuel. Uranium ore occurs naturally underground and is mined and processed to remove Uranium 235. This is a radioactive material that is fissionable (its atoms can be split a process that releases a lot of energy). Uranium 235 is processed into pellets and is loaded into a nuclear reactor of a nuclear power plant. The heat from fission is used to boil water. The steam turns a turbine which generates electricity. Nuclear power plants face environmental problems because of the difficulty in disposing of nuclear waste.
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