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Energy

Energy. Coal-remains of plants that have undergone carbonization Occurs when partially decomposed plant material is buried in swamp mud and becomes peat Types of Coal-peat, lignite, bituminous, anthracite Advantages Enormous reserves, cheap to mine, use as electricity Disadvantages

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Energy

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  1. Energy • Coal-remains of plants that have undergone carbonization • Occurs when partially decomposed plant material is buried in swamp mud and becomes peat • Types of Coal-peat, lignite, bituminous, anthracite • Advantages • Enormous reserves, cheap to mine, use as electricity • Disadvantages • Recovery can be dangerous and hazardous-types of mining • Air pollution • Cannot be used for transport purposes • Non-renewable

  2. Interesting Facts • Accounts for 28% of nation’s energy needs • Powered industrial revolution • Coal is crushed into powder form and burnt

  3. Oil and Natural Gas • Provides 40% of our nation’s energy use • Found in similar environments and typically occur together • Formation of petroleum and natural gas • Microorganisms and plant remains in shallow pre-historic • Advantages • Mobile (migrates toward surface), relatively low cost, plentiful for now, easily transported, electricity is proven reliable • Disadvantages • Urban air pollution, acid rain, global warming, global tensions, oil spills

  4. Nuclear Energy • Energy released by reactions w/in atomic nuclei • Nuclear fission-nucleus of heavy atoms splits into 2 or more fragments-process releases neutrons and energy • Nuclear fusion-nuclei of small atoms combine to form new, massive nuclei-releases energy • Advantages • Burn no fossil fuels, no air pollution, radioactive materials have long half live, cheap source, vast amount of energy in one atom • Disadvantages • Separating the uranium isotopes is difficult, uranium is rare, cost of building facility is pricey, radiation, accidents

  5. Interesting facts • Accounts for about 11% of the worlds energy demands • Energy that reaches Earth from sun-nuclear fusion • Fuel rods last several yrs

  6. Geothermal • Energy produced by heat w/in the Earth • Magma heats water-wells are drilled to reach hot water • Used as source of heat or sources of power to drive turbines-generate electricity • Problems • Need large potent source of heat (magma) deep enough to apply enough pressure and slow cooling • Steam and hot water lasts 10-15 hrs • Not expected to provide high % of worlds growing energy needs

  7. Hydroelectric and Tidal Power • Electrical energy produced by flow of water, tides • Dams hold back water, control the flow, water spins turbines which turn generators that produce electricity • Contributes to 5% of country’s demands • Many occur in SE and Pacific NW of U.S. • Problems • Dams have finite lifetimes, rivers deposit sediment • Availability of sites

  8. Wind • Wind is movement of air, results from air pressure differences caused by sun’s uneven heating of Earth’s surface • Use movement of air to convert wind energy into mechanical energy-generates electricity • Advantages • Almost free, non polluting • Disadvantages • Costs of large tracts of land in populated areas • No wind, no energy • Need better means of storage • Noise pollution

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