Sources of Energy Notes  

1) Energy is something that we, and all living

things around us, use every day. The

ultimate source of every energy form is the

sun. There are many sources of energy.

These include fossil fuels, wind, water, solar,

geothermal energies, and biomass energy.

Ultimate source of ALL energy =

(except Geothermal)

The Sun!!!  6 sources = fossil fuels, wind, hydropower, solar, geothermal, and biomass.

2) Fossil fuels are made from the remains of plants and animals

exposed to heat and pressure over very long periods of time.

Coal, oil, and natural gas removed from underground are the

primary fossil fuels. Coal is used as a heating fuel. Oil is

refined into gas, oil, and lubricants. Natural gas is used as a

heating and cooking fuel. Solar energy from the ancient past

is stored in fossil fuels. These fuels are rich in hydrogen and

carbon. Fossil fuels take a very long time to form and once

gone are basically impossible to replace.

3) Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth’s

surface. The wind’s energy can be gathered through

the use of windmills. Although wind is free it is not

constant. Windmills must be placed were there is a

constant and strong wind flow. The energy from the

wind turns turbines that create electricity.

 Wind = uneven heating of Earth’s surface (hot

+ cold areas) Use = turn turbines for electricity Pluses = Minuses =*Wind is free *needs strong, *There is constant windalwaysWind *windmills break

*bothers wildlife

4) Energy gathered from moving water is called

hydropower. Water moving from a higher level to a

lower level turns turbines that create electricity.

Sources of hydropower include dams, waterfalls, wave

movement, and tidal movement. Water is considered

free but in order for it to work the power plant must be

near a water source.

Hydropower= energy from moving water(rivers, waves, tides)

Use= turn turbines to create electricity Pluses Minuses*Free *must be near

a source of water*won’t run *dams hurt wildlifeout

5) Solar energy is radiation from the sun. The energy

travels through space and strikes the Earth.

Equipment is used to convert solar energy into

electricity. It can be very expensive. Solar energy

does not cause pollution and will not run out for

billions of years.

Solar = radiation from sun

Use= converts directly into electricity or passively heat things

Pluses= Minuses=*free * panels

expensive

*no pollution *needs lots of land

6) Geothermal energy comes from intense heat within the Earth, which also produces springs, geysers, and volcanoes. Steam is piped to the surface of the Earth and then turns a turbine in an electric power plant. It does not produce pollution but can cause damage to the environment.

Geothermal= steam from underground

Use= steam turns turbines for electricity

Pluses Minuses=

*won’t run *can hurt

out of land

*Earth’s curst

must be thin.

7) Biomass energy is energy that comes from the burning or use of natural, organic materials. Examples of biomass material include garbage, trees, left over crops, animal waste, and paper products. Biomass materials are burned. The heat from the burning is used to boil water, create steam, and then turn a turbine which creates electricity.

Biomass= energy from living things(trees, crops, garbage)

Use= burn, make steam, turn turbines

Pluses= Minuses=*easily *technologyavailable not good yet

*expensive