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ENERGY! . What is Energy? . “Work” “Motion” “Power” “the key to the advance of civilization” Energy is motion and activity from things as small as breathing and eating (food energy) to things as large as hydro and nuclear power that provide electricity to New York City, Tokyo, and Seattle. .
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What is Energy? • “Work” • “Motion” • “Power” • “the key to the advance of civilization” • Energy is motion and activity from things as small as breathing and eating (food energy) to things as large as hydro and nuclear power that provide electricity to New York City, Tokyo, and Seattle.
Why is it important? • Humans create and use energy to: • Produce materials • Get warm • Cool off • SURVIVE • Without energy, you would not be reading this power point presentation, watching TV, listening to music, or even moving your fingers to take notes (YES! Even that takes energy).
The History of Energy • Every living and sometimes non-living things take and create energy. • We will be discussing man-made energy. • For mankind: • Elbow grease! • Energy has been used forever.
History: Wood • Wood (sticks, logs, branches and leaves, or tree products) was used to create fire that would heat: • Food • Bodies • Homes (caves…)
History: Man Power • Human muscles were outdone millions of years ago by their competitor, simple machines: • The wheel • Levers • Pulleys • Weapons: • Bow and Arrow • Dull knives • Agricultural tools • Animal labor/energy
History: Hydro Power • What is “Hydro” power? • Energy that is created by the movement of water. • In ancient Rome, aqueducts were created to make a central sewage and water system for the nation- state. • 2 BC: The vertical water wheel was created, allowing water to gain some momentum and help move mills.
History: Hydro Power • By the 15th century, water power was the primary source of maintaining society in France. • In the 1770’s, hydro-powered cotton mills were created and subsequently used. This began the Industrial Revolution. • Today, humans utilize water through dams to create electricity. The flow of the water creates energy which is, thus, turned into electricity.
History: Hydro Power Dams are another important aspect of hydro power. These were created by humans in the late Medieval times (the 10th -14th centuries). Water is intentionally held up and released at a level appropriate for the energy needed. Beavers create dams naturally as a part of their habitat…
COAL • Coal is used as a heating element to create energy. Burning coal has been used to: • Heat homes and stoves (as well as barbecues) • Create steam to power machinery such as: • Trains • Mills • Sewing machines in large factories
History: COAL • Steam has been known to create movement and high energy since the 1st century. • In the 17th century it was utilized to make machinery work. • The people who invented and modified it: • Thomas Savery • Thomas Newcomen • James Watt (the most famous).
History: COAL • Coal seemed to be better than water • It was portable • Created just as much energy • Could be controlled • The downside? • Coal is a resource that needed to be mined • Coal wasn’t available everywhere • CA would pay a great deal for coal from all over the world, even Australia. • Coal’s Creations: • The steam Engine • TRANSPORTATION! • TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD! • FACTORIES/MASS PRODUCTION!
Speaking of California… • California relied on imported coal, which was expensive. Until… • Petroleum was discovered off their coast in the early 20th century. Then it was their primary source of fuel. • Petroleum and Coal are kinds of FOSSIL FUELS.
History: FOSSIL FUELS • Fossil Fuels are a type of energy used primarily in cars and vehicles. • Fossil fuels are created by decomposed material that is very, very old. • I like to think of petroleum or fossil fuels as “Dinosaur Juice”.
History: FOSSIL FUELS • Fossil Fuels have existed for millions (possibly up to 650 MILLION years). • They have been utilized since coal was utilized. • Fossil Fuels are: • Coal • Petroleum • Natural Gas
History: FOSSIL FUELS • Because they are so abundant in certain places, they can tend to be fairly cheap. • The United states imports a majority of its fossil fuels (Petroleum) from the Middle East. • This creates a political aspect to reliance on natural resources.
Coal was popular until we realized how filthy it made our cities and caused issues with health.
History: FOSSIL FUELS • Petroleum is still used and is a primary source of energy as a whole for the nation. But alternatives have become popular since the 1960’s.
Alternatives Nuclear Energy SOLAR ENERGY Also ancient, has become popular. Using the sun’s heat to create energy or electricity. Solar panels use silicone slabs that heat and store energy. Solar energy becomes popular when gas prices are high. • Nuclear energy was discovered and implemented in the early 20th century. • Energy is created from atoms splitting in a controlled environment. • Nuclear power plants! • Atomic Energy Commission utilized atomic energy for peaceful purposes.
Alternatives Wind Energy Biomass Biomass is plant matter waste product burned to create energy. Wood scraps (no chopping down trees!) Waste/compost Hydrogen Alcohols Sugarcane Ethanol • Wind energy is a form of solar energy. • Temperature changes create wind • Wind creates movement • Movement creates energy.
ENERGY! • All of these forms of energy are important and useful. • Energy stems from as far back as the earth has been in existence. • Soon, we will be comparing and contrasting these forms of energy. • What are the benefits? • What are the drawbacks? • Do we know enough about them to know what the benefits and drawbacks are?
Much thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy and the Franklin Institute for their resources and fruitful information.
