Energy Research Paper
You will write a research paper on your assigned energy source. In your paper, you will
cite your sources in APA format. You should include a bibliography AND parenthetical
citations. You will write the paper with your group. ALL group members will be required
to contribute to the paper. In your group contract, include who is responsible for each of
the parts of the paper.
Sources
The most useful information on these topics will be very recent, so focus on journal
articles and periodicals rather than books. Periodicals such as Scientific American,
Discover, National Geographic, and New Scientist would be very appropriate.
Newspaper articles are fine but try to stay with the more reputable papers like the New
York Times or Wall Street Journal or articles that are Associated Press reprints. Be
critical of your sources. Some sources are supported by advocacy organizations or
corporations and therefore may be biased.
Internet sources may not be used in your paper unless they are associated with reputable
publications or professional organizations. For example, an online information paper
from a professional organization such as AAAS, IEEE, or the American Physical Society
are ok, but one from an industry advocacy group like the Wind Energy Association or the
American Chemistry Council should be used with caution.
Websites can be very helpful in leading you toward useful sources. A lot of times they
have published references that you may be able to use as sources. You may also want to
use images and diagrams from websites (be certain to cite your source for all of those)
Questions that should be answered in your paper:
History
1. History of the energy source:
a. Who founded this type of energy?
b. When was it invented, developed, or used?
c. Any other historical information about the energy source
d. Has the function of this energy source changed throughout history? How?
Use
2. Specific use of your energy source:
a. For what do we use it?
b. How do we use it?
c. How is it being used?
d. Where is your energy source most often used? Describe these locations.
e. Where is this type of energy source useful? Not useful?
f. How efficient is the energy source?
g. Name all that apply and provide a description of each:
i. Can it be used to produce electricity?
ii. Can it be used to produce heat?
iii. Can it be used to move objects (machines)?
iv. Other energy types
Economics
3. How much does this energy source cost?
a. How much do consumers pay to use this energy?
b. Is it cost effective to make?
c. What is the estimated cost of maintenance?
d. Are costs per joule (J) or kilo joule (kJ) of energy? BTUs? Available?
Efficiency
4. How much more efficient (effective) is this energy source than others in doing a
task?
a. Is it better at providing heat, energy or electricity than other methods?
b. How much better or worse (look for a percentage or factual references
based statement or calculations)
Environmental Impact
5. What are the positive environmental effects of your energy source?
6. What are the negative environmental effects of your energy source?
Health Impact
7. Are there any positive human health impacts of your energy source?
8. Are there any possible negative human health impacts of your energy source?
Future
9. Are there any plans to use this energy source to produce new types of energy in
the future?
10. Why should humans continue using this energy source in the future?
Your City
11. Why is this the best energy source for your city?
Energy Research Topics
- Nuclear power plant
- Geothermal energy
- Wind power
- Hydroelectric power
- Solar power
- Ethanol
- Biodiesel
- Fuel cells
- Hybrid cars
- Natural gas