Resources

Things found in nature that living
organisms use.
Nonrenewable


Natural resources that are
not replaced as they are used
(longer than 100 years).
Fossil Fuels

Renewable
Nuclear

Formed
from the
remains of
ancient
plants and
animals.

Solar
Energy in the
nucleus of an
atom.
There is
enormous
energy in the
bonds that hold
the nucleus
together.

Light
energy
from the
sun.
Wind

Oil


Also called
Petroleum
Is a thick,
black,
liquid fossil
fuel.

Natural Gas

Mixture of
methane
and other
gases.
Coal


A resource that is naturally
replaced in a relatively short
time (within 100 years).
Solid fossil
fuel.
Causes
most air
pollution.
Mechanical
energy from
moving air.
Wind turns a
turbine to
produce
electricity.
Biomass

Fuels made
from things
that were
once alive
such as wood
and corn.
Hydropower

Mechanical
energy of
moving
water.
Geothermal

Heat
energy that
comes from
the Earth’s
core.
Energy Type
Advantages

Fossil Fuels
Solar Energy
Can produce large amounts of electricity
in a single location.
Very easy to find and cost effective.



Produces no air pollution.
A very small amount of matter creates
and enormous amount of energy.


Radioactive waste products are
dangerous
Nuclear power plants can be dangerous


Produces no air pollution.
The power of the Sun is free.


The initial cost is very expensive.
Available only when the Sun is shining.

The use of waste saves room in
landfills.
Are commonly available.
Produces no air pollution.
The power of the wind is free.
Produces no air pollution.
An unlimited source of cheap energy.
Produces no air pollution.
The flow of water can be controlled to
produce energy.


Does cause small amount of pollution.
Can be expensive.



Wind turbines create a lot of noise.
Wind is unpredictable.
There are only a few places where
magma comes close to Earth’s surface.
Dams can negatively affect animals and
habitats.
Can be impacted by drought.

Nuclear Energy
Biomass
Wind Energy
Geothermal
Energy
Hydropower
Disadvantages










When burned, creates air pollution which
can cause acid rain and contribute to global
warming.
Mining for coal or drilling for oil can be
hazardous to us and our environment.
List at least 5 ways YOU can help conserve energy and reduce waste in your home.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Use a reusable water bottle
Turn off the water while brushing teeth
Recycle
Ride a bike if traveling a short distance
Turn off lights when leaving a room
Draw a picture in each box below to represent TWO of the ways you can help to reduce waste or conserve
energy.
Plastic Water Bottles
Use a Nalgene
or other
reusable water
bottle
Cans, plastic, glass and
other waste
Using the graphs below, compare and contrast Virginia’s energy consumption to the United States and the rest of
the world.
Graph 1:
Graph 2: United States Energy Consumption in, 2005
Virginia Energy
Consumption, 2005
Write a paragraph to explain:
Virginia uses MORE nuclear energy compared to the
_______________________________________________
United States and the rest of the World. Virginia uses
_______________________________________________
Graph 3:
35%, while the United States uses 8%, and the rest of
_______________________________________________
World Energy
Consumption, 2005
the world uses only 5%. The leading energy source for
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Virginia is coal, for the United States and the rest of
_______________________________________________
the world, it is petroleum/ oil. Virginia also uses the
_______________________________________________
LEAST amount of fossil fuel energy.
_______________________________________________
Read the following paragraph and pick out 2 costs and 2 benefits.
Nine states generate more than 10 percent of their electricity from wind and neighboring
Iowa and South Dakota rely on wind power for 20 percent of their electricity needs. Also, wind
power purchase contracts are long-term and have fixed rates, saving consumers money by
helping protect against price spikes in the fossil fuel markets. However, the double standard in
government and within much of the environmentalist community is somewhat breathtaking. The
March issue of the peer-reviewed Wildlife Society Bulletin estimated that over 573,000 birds are
killed by the nation’s wind farms each year, including around 83,000 “hunting birds”, mostly
raptors like eagles, hawks and falcons.
Costs
Benefits
1. Wind turbines are ruining habitats
1. Saves consumers money
2. Over 573,000 birds are killed by wind farms each
2. Generates 20 % of electricity needs w/ no air
year
pollution