Energy Sources
What is the top energy source produced in the US?
Natural gas
How does a wind turbine generate electricity?
A wind turbine generates electricity by spinning blades that turn a driveshaft connected to a generator.
Give an example of energy transformation.
Turning coal's chemical energy into electrical energy is one example of energy transformation.
Another is transforming kinetic energy of wind to electrical energy.
Or solar energy from the sun transforming to electrical energy
What form of energy generally involves the use of large dams?
Hydroelectric power involves the use of large dams. It is considered a renewable energy source.
What instrument is used to measure wind speed?
What percentage of Virginia's electricity is from nuclear power?
30% of Virginia's electricity is from nuclear power.
What role do gears play in a generator?
Gears help transfer the rotational energy from the driveshaft connected to the magnet.
How is wind energy transformed into electrical energy?
Wind energy is transformed into electrical energy through the rotation of the blades that drive a generator.
What source of energy is generally considered clean, but non-renewable?
Nuclear energy is considered clean but non-renewable.
What gas makes up the majority of the greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change?
Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is largest percent of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Name a renewable source of energy used in Virginia.
Solar energy or biomass are renewable energy sources used in Virginia.
What spins inside the generator to create electricity?
When do solar panels generate the most electricity?
Solar panels generate the most electricity on June 21st (summer solstice), the longest day of the year.
What form of non-renewable energy comes in the form of a black rock?
Coal is a non-renewable energy source that is a black rock.
What is the standard unit of energy measurement?
A JOULE is the standard unit of energy measurement.
How much of the US energy production comes from fossil fuels?
The largest portion of US energy production comes from fossil fuels.
What type of energy conversion occurs in a coal power plant?
The chemical energy in coal is converted to electrical energy.
All energy ultimately comes from what source?
All energy ultimately comes from the sun.
What form of energy is extracted by the process known as fracking?
Natural gas is extracted by the process of fracking.
What does a joule measure?
A joule measures energy.
What is the primary source of electricity in Virginia?
Natural gas, making up 57%, is the primary source of electricity in Virginia.
Explain the function of a driveshaft in a generator.
The driveshaft connects the spinning turbine blades to the generator components.
What do solar panels use to generate electricity?
Solar panels use PHOTONS (light) to generate electricity.
What is the word generally used to describe the phenomena that “the wind isn’t always blowing, and the sun isn’t always shining?”
Intermittent or Intermittency refers to the idea that "the wind isn't always blowing, and the sun isn't always shining."
What does a volt measure?
Volts measure the electrical potential of a circuit. It is also described as the speed of electrons as they flow through a circuit.