SOURCES of ENERGY

Sources of Energy

Earth’s energy comes from two sources-

1. The Sun (Nearly all of Earth’s energy comes from the Sun.)2.Radioactive atoms inside Earth’s

interior

Energy sources are renewable or nonrenewable.

Sources of EnergyRenewable Nonrenewable

Energy sources that are easily replaced or available on a perpetual basis, IF managed properly.

Energy sources found in limited amounts. They are used up much faster than they can be replaced.

Types of Nonrenewable Energy

1.Fossil fuels2. Nuclear

Fossil Fuels

1. Fossil fuels are coal, oil (petroleum), and natural gas. (solid, liquid, gas)

2. Solar energy is stored in fossil fuels as chemical energy.

3. Fossil fuels come from within the Earth and are concentrated sources of energy.

4. Fossil fuels are rich in hydrogen and carbon.

5. Gasoline is made from petroleum.6. Burning fossil fuels creates air pollution,

which may lead to global warming.

Fossil FuelsAdvantages Disadvantage

s

Coal, oil (petroleum), natural gas

1. Relatively inexpensive

2. Easy to use3. Easy to store4. Easy to

transport5. Concentrated

1. Air pollution2. Nonrenewabl

e3. Global

warming/ acid rain

Nuclear Energy1. Nuclear energy is energy stored in atomic

nuclei.2. Uranium, an element found in rocks all over

the world, is used in nuclear energy. Uranium atoms are easier to split.

3. Splitting the atom’s nucleus is fission. Combining nuclei is fusion (happens in the Sun).

4. It is a concentrated source of energy that produces very little air pollution, but is does produce radioactive waste.

Nuclear EnergyAdvantages Disadvantage

sNuclear 1. Little to no air

pollution2. Little waste3. Very

concentrated

1. Radioactive waste

Renewable Energy Sources-Source I Advantages Disadvantages

Solar- energy from the Sun

I 1. Never runs out2. No pollution3. Cheap to use

1. Expensive to build2. Sun doesn’t always

shine

Wind- energy from moving air

I 1. Never runs out2. No pollution3. Cheap to use

1. Wind does not blow continually

2. Expensive to install3. Noisy4. Requires lots of land5. Hazard to birds

Renewable continued-Source Advantages Disadvantages

Hydroelectric- energy from moving water

  1. No pollution2. Cheap

1. Expensive to build2. Floods land3. Harms wildlife

habitats

Tidal- energy from tides

I 1. Cheap2. No pollution

1. Can only be used in a few places

Renewable continued-Sources Advantages Disadvantages

Geothermal- energy from inside Earth

I 1. Reliable2. Efficient3. Little pollution

1. Only accessible in limited places

Biomass- fuel from plant or animal material (most common is wood)

  FlexibleCan be used to

make other fuels

1. Air pollution

Secondary Sources of Energy

Secondary sources of energy are used to store, move, and deliver energy in usable form.They are sometimes called energy carriers.Examples are electricity and hydrogen.

Virginia’s Energy UseVirginia exports more coal than it imports. Virginia’s coal mines produce only 5% of the coal

east of the Mississippi River.Virginia’s electricity-

About 1/3 is generated by four nuclear power plantsAbout ½ is generated by coal

Virginia has two of the top methane fields, almost 6,000 natural gas wells, and three oil wells.

United States Energy Use

The United States is the 2nd largest energy consumer in terms of total use in 2010 and 7th largest in per capita energy consumption.The majority of this energy comes from fossil fuels.

Energy DependenceModern industrialized society is

dependent upon energy. Fossil fuels are the major source of

energy in developed and industrialized nations.

Some important sources of energy include, fossil fuels, wood, wind, water hydropower), the Sun solar), and Earth’s interior.