Environmental Science

Chapter 11

Notes #2

Review

Nonrenewable resources Renewable Resources Fossil Fuels The energy of fossil fuels is most commonly

turned into electricity A fuel’s suitability (5 Things)

Availability, Cost, Energy content, Safety, By products

In the US the main use of energy is for creating electricity

Electricity/ Electric Generator

Energy Basics

Where do we get electricity? Power Plants

Fossil Fuel Power Plants Nuclear Power Plants

Power Plants create electricity and that electricity is carried though a distribution grid

When an electrical pole goes down, why does it affect more than one home?

Fossil Fuel Power Plants

1. Fossil Fuels are burned They contain much energy that is released in the

form of heat (this is a chemical reaction)

2. The heat turns water into steam

3. The steam is directed at the blades of a turbine, causing them to spin

4. The turbine is connected to a generator, the coils of the generator are moved through a magnetic field, creating electricity, which is sent out to the distribution grid

Fossil Fuel Power Plants

Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear Power Plants

1. Nuclear Reactor runs fission reactions They contain much energy that is released in the

form of heat (this is a nuclear reaction)2. The heat turns water into steam3. The steam is directed at the blades of a

turbine, causing them to spin4. The turbine is connected to a generator, the

coils of the generator are moved through a magnetic field, creating electricity, which is sent out to the distribution grid

Nuclear Power Plants