Physical Science – Chapter 16 Study Guide Answers
Chapter Objectives
1. Discuss properties and uses of fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels = the remains of once living organisms, hydrocarbons
Natural gas, petroleum, coal
Energy production, heat
NON renewable
2. Explain how fossil fuels are formed.
Remains of once living organisms, died thousands of years ago, decay and pressure causes
them to become fossil fuels
3. Describe how the chemical energy in fossil fuels is converted into electrical energy.
Chemical energy in the bonds is burned to produce steam, steam (thermal energy) spins a
turbine (kinetic energy), turbine is connected to a generator (electricity)
4. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using fossil fuel energy to produce electricity.
Advantages = natural, efficient (lots of energy), easy to harness, cheap/cost effective
Disadvantages = pollution, nonrenewable, running out
5. Explain how a nuclear reactor converts nuclear energy to thermal energy.
Uranium isotopes undergo fission, splits the nucleus, releases neutrons and energy, reacts
with water to produce steam (thermal energy)
6. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear energy to produce electricity.
Advantages = no pollution, efficient
Disadvantages = cost, radioactive waste, fear
7. Discuss nuclear fusion as a possible energy source.
Fusion = 2 or more nuclei combine to form 1 larger nucleus
Advantages = no pollution, uses hydrogen (very abundant), water is a waste product
Disadvantages = requires very high temperatures, uses more than energy than it produces
8. Analyze the need for alternative energy sources.
Running out of fossil fuels
9. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of various alternate energy sources
Tidal energy = advantage – no pollution, water is abundant; disadvantage – must have a
significant difference between high and low tides
Hydroelectricity = advantage – no pollution, water is abundant; disadvantage – destroys
habitats, flood lands, costly to build the dams
Solar = advantage – Sun is renewable, lots of energy; disadvantages – only useful when the
sun is shining, costly, need a lot of solar panels to harness energy
Wind energy = advantages – no pollution, can be placed just about anywhere without
impacting the surrounding lands; disadvantages = kills birds, wind is not always blowing,
only useful in windy areas
10. Describe alternate methods for generating electricity.
Geothermal = drill into the earth, run water through pipes, water is heating by mantle and
magma heat, creates steam, steam spins a turbine connected to a generator
Key Concepts
 Electricity generation
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Something is burned which releases chemical energy into thermal energy (steam), steam
spins a turbine (kinetic energy), turbine is connect to a generator (electrical energy)
Nonpolluting forms of energy
Hydroelectricity, solar, nuclear, tidal energy, wind, geothermal
Polluting forms of energy
Fossil fuels, biomass
Energy transformation during electricity production
Chemical  thermal  kinetic  electrical
Renewable forms of energy
Biomass, hydroelectricity, tidal, nuclear fusion, Solar, wind, geothermal
Nonrenewable = FOSSIL FUELS (coal, petroleum, natural gas)