SOURCES OF ENERGY

WHAT ARE SOURCES OF ENERGY ?

In physics , energy is a property of objects which can be transferred to other objects or converted into different forms, but cannot be created or destroyed .

In general it can be defined as ‘the sources from which we get energy.’Examples are:-

Hydro Energy Solar Energy Wind Energy

Energy is mainly divided into two:-

Conventional and Non-Conventional sources of energy.

Conventional Sources of Energy

The conventional sources of energy are generally non-renewable sources of energy, which are being

used since a long time. These sources of energy are being used extensively in such a way that their

known reserves have been depleted to a great extent.

Example:-Fossil Fuels Thermal Power Plant

Hydro Power Plants

Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

• Non conventional energy sources are those energy sources which are exposed to use from modern technologies advancements ; rather than the normal use of conventional fuels as energy sources like gas or oil

Example:-Solar Energy Wind Energy

Fossil fuels are fuels formed inside the earth from the remains of plants and animals after

millions of years. The fossil fuels are coal, petroleum and natural gas.

Fossil fuels are non renewable sources of energy so they should be conserved and used

judiciously.

Fossil fuels

Disadvantages of fossil fuels

i) Burning of fossil fuels release gases and harmful particles which causes air pollution.

ii) Burning of fossil fuels release acidic oxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen which causes acid rain which is harmful

for living organisms, affects soil and water, causes damage to buildings, corrosion of metals etc.

iii) Burning of fossil fuels release a large amount carbon dioxide gas which increases the temperature of the

atmosphere and causes global warming.

Natural Gas Where does Natural Gas come from? Millions of years ago, the remains of plants and animals decayed and built up in thick layers. This decayed matter from plants and animals is called organic material -- it was once alive. Over time, the mud and soil changed to rock, covered the organic material and trapped it beneath the rock. Pressure and heat changed some of this organic material into coal, some into oil (petroleum), and some into natural gas -- tiny bubbles of odorless gas. The main ingredient in natural gas is methane, a gas (or compound) composed of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.

Oil (Petroleum) Oil was formed from the remains of animals and plants that lived millions of years ago in a marine (water) environment before the dinosaurs. Over the years, the remains were covered by layers of mud. Heat and pressure from these layers helped the remains turn into what we today call crude oil. The word "petroleum" means "rock oil" or "oil from the earth.Crude oil is a smelly, yellow-to-black liquid and is usually found in underground areas called reservoirs.

Hydroelectric Energy:-

In hydro power plants, water from rivers is stored by constructing dams. The water from the dam flows down through pipes and

rotates the turbines of generators to produce electricity which is called Hydroelectric energy.

Thermal Energy:-

In thermal power plants the heat energy produced by burning fossil fuels like coal, petroleum or natural

gas is used to heat water and change it into steam which rotates the turbines of generators to produce

electricity.

Wind Energy:-

Moving wind possesses Kinetic energy, which can be harnessed properly to

generate Electricity.

Solar Energy:-

Solar energy is the energy obtained from the sun in the form of heat and light. The heat energy is used in

solar heating devices like solar cooker, solar water heater, solar furnaces etc. The light energy is used in

solar cells.

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