Introduction to Energy
Fill in the blank to complete the sentence below.
Energy is the ability to ______________________.
Energy is the ability to do work.
What's the difference between a renewable and non-renewable energy source?
Renewable: Are produced continuously and/or can be replaced in a relatively short amount of time
Non-Renewable: Require thousands to millions of years to reform, if this is even possible
What are the key parts of a generator system?
Shaft, turbine, generator (stator and rotor)
What are some greenhouse gases? What do greenhouse gases do?
Greenhouse gases: Methane, carbon dioxide, water vapour, nitrous oxide
Light energy turns into heat energy and gets trapped in our atmosphere. The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun.
Which of the following energy sources are renewable and which are non-renewable?
Solar, hydroelectric, wind, geothermal, fossil fuels, biomass, ocean energy, natural gas
Renewable: Solar, hydroelectric, wind, geothermal, ocean energy, biomass
Non-Renewable: fossil fuels, natural gas
What is the law of conservation of energy? What is an example?
Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another.
Eg. Lamp converts electrical energy to heat and light energy.
Calculate the amount of energy a 2500 Watt light bulb uses if it is plugged in for 3.5 hours.
E = P x t
E = (2500 W) (3.5 hr)
E = 8750 Watt-hours
What two pieces of information does the EnerGuide label provide?
1. kWh consumption per year
2. Efficiency of the appliance compared to others on the market
What is the Natural Greenhouse effect? How is it different from the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect?
Natural Greenhouse Effect: A natural process where certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere (like carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, and nitrous oxide) trap some of the Sun’s heat.
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: The increase in the greenhouse effect caused by human activities—mainly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial emissions.
Match the energy source to the description below.
Energy sources: hydroelectric, solar, wind, geothermal, fossil fuels, ocean energy, biomass
1. The power that comes from moving air.
2. Heat that comes from deep inside the Earth. This heat can be used to make electricity or to warm buildings.
3. Comes from things that were once living, like plants, wood, or animal waste. When these materials are burned or broken down, they release energy that can be used to produce heat or electricity.
4. Power that comes from the Sun.
5. Energy sources made from the remains of ancient plants and animals that were buried underground for millions of years. The main types are coal, oil, and natural gas.
6. Power that comes from the movement of ocean water.
7. Electricity made from the movement of water. It usually comes from rivers or dams, where flowing or falling water turns turbines to generate power.
1. Wind
2. Geothermal
3. Biomass
4. Solar
5. Fossil Fuels
6. Ocean Energy
7. Hydroelectric
Where does all of our energy on Earth come from?
The Sun!
What does the term "standby power" mean?
Most electrical devices draw power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even when they are turned off
How does a generator system produce electricity? What energy sources use this method?
When the turbine turns, it spins the shaft, which spins a rotor in the generator. A change in magnetic field results in electrical current being produced.
Examples: Wind, hydroelectric, nuclear, biomass, etc.
How effect does rising ocean temperatures have?
Higher temperature, more CO2 can dissolve, which increases acidity
Use the following terms and match them to the definitions below.
Terms: Chemical Energy, Kinetic Energy, Nuclear, Light & Heat, Sound
1. Energy stored in the bonds of molecules (e.g., food, fossil fuels, wood, etc.)
2. Energy that comes from joining or splitting atoms
3. Energy of objects in motion, usually due to the force of gravity
4. Energy transferred as waves through the collision of air particles
5. Often “unusable” energy from chemical reactions
1. Chemical Energy
2. Nuclear
3. Kinetic Energy
4. Sound
5. Heat & Light
What are the 3 ways to improve energy use?
1. Conservation - use less energy
2. Efficiency - make better use out of the energy you are using (e.g., LED light bulbs)
3. Renewable (green) energy sources
What are the 3 impacts of increased atmospheric temperatures?
1. Ice melts - flooding
2. Seawater temperatures rise - increase dissolved CO2, increases acidity
3. Incidences of extreme weather events increases