Energy Definitions
resource that can be replaced in nature at a rate close to its rate of use?
Renewable resource
the machine in a power plant that converts mechanical energy from a turbine into electrical energy
Generator
electricity generated from the flow of water on Earth's surfac
Hydroelectric power
organic material from plants or animals, including wood and agricultural waste, used as fuel
Biomass
the gaseous envelope surrounding Earth, including the air we breathe
Atmosphere
the rate at which electricity does work, measured in watts
Electric power
the process in a nuclear reactor where uranium atoms split to release heat
Nuclear fission
the structure built across a river to create a reservoir for hydroelectric power
Dam
energy derived from the heat within Earth's interior
Geothermal energy
all the water on Earth's surface, including oceans, lakes, and rivers
Hydrosphere
the total amount of work that can be done by electricity, measured in watt-hours
Electric energy
the equipment used in fossil-fuel plants to capture gases and particles before they enter the atmosphere
Pollution-control equipment / Scrubbers
the artificial lake created behind a dam that stores water for electricity generation
Reservoir
molten rock beneath Earth's surface that can heat water to produce steam
Magma
the solid outer layer of Earth, including rocks and soil
Lithosphere
fuel derived from ancient organic matter, including coal, petroleum, and natural gas
Fossil fuel
the type of power plant that uses heated water vapor to spin turbine blades, regardless of whether the heat source is coal or uranium
Steam turbine plant / Thermal power plant
the type of hydroelectric system that relies on water stored behind a dam and falling through pipes
Falling-water system / Dam system
the name for energy derived from the wind using turbines
Wind energy / Wind power
The study of how Earth's systems (lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere) interact to create and distribute energy resources
Earth systems science / Environmental geology
the name of the rotating machine that converts the mechanical energy of a moving fluid into rotational motion
Turbine
the percentage of energy input that is successfully converted into useful electrical output in a power plant
Efficiency / Thermal efficiency
hydroelectric system that uses the natural force of a river current without storing water
Run-of-the-river system
energy derived directly from sunlight
Solar energy / Solar pow
the complete cycle of environmental impact from resource extraction (like uranium mining) through power generation to waste disposal
Life cycle assessment / Life cycle analysis