Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

6.9

• What is a renewable resource?– A form of energy that can be replaced almost as

quickly as it is used. – Mostly comes from the Sun or from Earth itself.

Wind Energy• Wind driving an electric generator • Wind will blow as long as the sun is heating the Earth.• Captured by wind turbines. The blades turn an electric

generator. • Disadvantages:– Expensive to construct– Requires land where there are strong winds– Produce a small amount of pollution

Hydroelectric Energy• Moving water has kinetic energy• Water cycle is powered by the sun• Spins turbines connected to electric generators in

a dam.• Disadvantages:– Only in areas where there is a large reliable amount

of water.– Expensive to build– Block movement of fish and other wildlife

Solar Energy• Energy from the sun in the form of radiation• Converted into energy by the use of solar cells• Can be transferred to water or to heat a house• Causes little to no pollution• Works best in areas with lots of sunlight!

DUHHHH• Not available all the time!!

Biomass• Organic matter from plants and animal waste

that contains chemical energy.• Produces energy when burned• Can be used to cook foods, provide warmth or

power an engine• Examples: trees, crops, animal waste, and peat• Inexpensive, but produces a little pollution.• Can be used to produce gasoline

Geothermal Energy• Produced from heat released from the Earth’s

interior.• Hot springs, geysers• Energy is in the form of heat and can generate

electricity.

Non-renewable Resource • A resource that is used up faster than it can be

replaced. • Most energy used in the U.S. is non-renewable.

Fossil Fuel vs Nuclear FuelFossil Fuel Nuclear Energy

-Formed from the remains of organisms that lived a long time ago.-Release energy when burned, can be converted into electricity to power engines-Most commonly used resource. -Relatively inexpensive to process.

- Energy released when the nuclei of atoms are split or combined.

- Fusion or fission- Most common nuclear fuel is

Uranium.- Uranium is obtained through

mining.

Fossil Fuels Nuclear Fuel

Petroleum• Type of fossil fuel, also called crude oil.• Taken from the ground by drilling• Can be refined into gasoline/kerosene• Can also be made into plastic, ink and gum

Natural Gas• Type of fossil fuel, used for heating and cooking• Some cars use for fuel• Butane and Propane• Used for heating homes, camp stoves or grills• Inexpensive

Coal• Solid used to generate electricity• Used for heat and transportation• More than half the US’s electricity comes from

coal-burning power plants

How to fossil fuels form???

• Take out a blank piece of paper• Go to page 440 • Draw and write a small paragraph explaining

how fossil fuels are formed. • Turn in by the end of class!