Fossil fuels are forms of stored energy
Photosynthesis converts solar energy into chemical energy in organic compounds
Three major fossil fuels
Coal, oil, natural gas- 90% of energy consumed on worldwide basis
Peak Oil
The time when half of the worlds oil has been exploited: 2020-2050
Hard path
Fossil fuels, power plants (bad)
Soft path
Natural resources (good)
R-value
Measurement of insulation- the higher the R-value, the greater the insulation
Fossil fuels
Forms of stored solar energy
How photosynthesis and fossil fuels are related
Photosynthesis converts solar energy into chemical energy in organic compounds such as glucose
What fossil fuel is considered a transition fuel?
Natural gas-Considered a clean fuel-Produces fewer pollutants than burning coal or oil-Fewer environmental problems
Oil Shale
Fine-grained sedimentary rock containing organic matter (kerogen)
Tar Sands
Sedimentary rocks or sands impregnated with tar oil
Coal
Partially decomposed vegetation (peat) buried in sedimentary environment (swamp)- compressed into coal
Natural Gas
Mostly Methane- Organic materials (mostly plants) buried with marine or lake sediments in depositional basins
Crude Oil
Organic materials (mostly plants) buried with marine or lake sediments in depositional basins
Acid mine drainage
drainage of acid from coal mine sites- acid pollutes water (evaporates and comes back down as acid rain)
pH scale
Measure of how acidic or basic- represents the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution
Synfuels
Liquid or gaseous fuels derived from solid fossil fuels (coal, oil shale, etc.)
Solar energy
energy from the sun converted into thermal or chemical energy
Geothermal Energy
Extracted from heat stored in the earth- steam beds
Wind Energy
Wind turns turbines which produce energy
Hydropower Energy
Dam a river- water flow turns turbines- creates energy
Fuel Cell Energy
Produce electricity by combining fuel hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2)
Biomass Energy
Energy recovered from biomass�organic matter, such as plant material and animal waste
Passive solar energy systems
Do not require mechanical power
Active solar energy systems
Require mechanical power to circulate air, water or other fluids
Photovoltaic Technology
Converts sunlight directly into electricity- generates solar energy
Chemical reaction of Electrolysis
Use electric current to separate hydrogen (H2) from water (H2O)
Byproducts of hydrogen combustion
Electricity, water and heat