Solar Energy
Where does Solar Energy come from?
The sun
Energy made from moving water is called ____ energy.
Hydropower or hydro energy
Where does biomass energy come from?
Biomass energy
Wind turbines capture wind to make ____.
Electricity
Which type of energy resource can be naturally replenished and does not get used up if managed responsibly: renewable or nonrenewable?
Renewable
A device that changes sunlight directly into electricity is called a ____.
Solar panel
A large structure that holds back water to make a reservoir and can generate electricity is called a ____.
Dam
Name one common material that can be burned or converted to make energy from biomass.
Wood, crop residues, manure, food waste
Name one advantage of wind energy and one place (type of location) where wind farms are often built.
Advantage: clean and renewable; Often built in open plains, coastal areas, or offshore
Give two examples of nonrenewable energy sources.
Coal, oil, natural gas
Explain one simple way families can use solar energy at home.
rooftop solar panels generating electricity,
Explain how flowing water turns something to make electricity in a hydroelectric plant (name the part that turns).
Flowing water turns a turbine; the turbine turns a generator to make electricity
Explain how using farm waste for energy can help farmers (one clear point).
Farmers can reduce waste, get extra income or energy, and lower disposal costs
What is the machine used to change wind into energy?
Windmill
Explain one clear difference between renewable and nonrenewable energy in terms of how long the fuel lasts.
Renewable resources can be replaced naturally over short time; nonrenewable take millions of years and can run out
Describe why solar panels should be placed where they get lots of sunlight. (One clear reason.)
Because panels need direct sunlight to produce more electricity
List one environmental benefit and one environmental concern of building a big dam.
Benefit: renewable, low greenhouse gas emissions during operation; Concern: can change habitats, affect fish migration, flood land
Give one reason biomass is considered renewable and one reason it might still cause pollution.
Renewable because plants regrow; pollution because burning releases smoke and CO2 unless managed/treated
Explain why wind energy production can be intermittent and one way communities can manage that problem.
wind speed varies
A power plant uses coal to create electricity. Explain why coal is considered nonrenewable and one environmental effect of using it.
Coal forms from ancient plants over millions of years (nonrenewable); burning coal releases air pollution and greenhouse gases, causes acid rain, mining issues
Give one advantage and one limitation of solar energy for a town deciding how to power its schools.
Advantage: clean source, reduces greenhouse gases; Limitation: depends on sunny weather, needs storage or backup, initial cost
Describe how tidal energy is similar to and different from hydroelectric energy from a river.
Similar: both use water movement to make electricity. Different: river hydro uses river flow and dams; tidal uses ocean tides and requires tidal sites (predictable tides vs. river flow variability)
Compare using trees cut specifically for fuel versus using leftover crop waste: which is more sustainable and why?
Using leftover crop waste is more sustainable because it avoids cutting trees, keeps soil cover, and uses waste that would otherwise decompose
Describe one possible impact wind farms can have on wildlife and one way designers try to reduce that impact.
Impact: bird and bat collisions or habitat disruption; Reduce impact by careful siting, slower blade speeds, and monitoring
Given a small town that must choose between building a new coal-burning plant or investing in mixed renewables (solar + wind + small hydro), list two long-term benefits of choosing renewables for the town.
Benefits of renewables: lower greenhouse gas emissions, long-term sustainable supply, often lower operating costs and local job creation; may also improve public health by reducing pollution