| A large store of energy that can be utilized to perform work or provide power for various applications, such as transport, electricity generation, and heating. | Energy Resource |
| What are the main uses of energy resources? | Energy resources are primarily used for transport, electricity generation, and heating purposes. |
| An energy resource that is replenished or replaced naturally at a rate comparable to or faster than its rate of consumption, ensuring its continuous availability. | Renewable Energy Resource |
| Can renewable energy resources run out? | Renewable energy resources do not run out because they are replenished or replaced naturally as they are used, ensuring their continuous availability. |
| Various sources of energy that are considered renewable, including bio-fuel, wind, hydroelectricity, tidal energy, and solar energy. | Examples of Renewable Energy Resources |
| Provide examples of renewable energy resources. | Examples of renewable energy resources include bio-fuel, wind power, hydroelectricity, tidal energy, and solar power. |
| An energy resource that cannot be replenished or replaced naturally within a short period relative to its rate of consumption, leading to its eventual depletion. | Non-Renewable Energy Resource |
| What distinguishes a non-renewable energy resource from a renewable one? | Non-renewable energy resources cannot be replenished at a rate comparable to their rate of consumption, leading to their eventual depletion, unlike renewable energy resources. |
| Various sources of energy that are considered non-renewable, including fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and nuclear fuels. | Examples of Non-Renewable Energy Resources |
| Name examples of non-renewable energy resources. | Examples of non-renewable energy resources include fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as nuclear fuels. |
| An energy resource that can consistently and predictably provide energy when needed, with minimal fluctuations in availability or output. | Reliable Energy Resource |
| What makes fossil fuels a reliable source of energy? | Fossil fuels are considered reliable because they can generate a large amount of energy and can be burned at any time, allowing for quick adjustments to meet changes in demand. |
| Sources of energy derived from naturally replenished or replaced processes, such as biofuel, hydroelectricity, solar power, and wind energy. | Renewable Energy Resources |
| Provide examples of reliable renewable energy resources. | Biofuel, hydroelectricity, and tidal energy are considered reliable renewable energy resources due to their consistent availability and predictability. |
| Renewable energy resources whose availability and output are subject to variations or fluctuations, often influenced by weather conditions or natural phenomena. | Unreliable Renewable Energy Resources |
| Why are solar and wind energy considered unreliable at times? | Solar and wind energy are considered unreliable because they rely on weather conditions. Cloudy weather reduces solar panel efficiency, while low or excessive wind speeds can lead to reduced or halted output from wind turbines. |
| Energy derived from the gravitational forces between the Earth, Moon, and Sun, resulting in the periodic rise and fall of ocean tides, which can be harnessed to generate electricity. | Tidal Energy |
| What makes tidal energy a reliable energy resource? | Tidal energy is considered reliable because the tides occur predictably and regularly every day, ensuring consistent availability for energy generation. |
| Devices that convert the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy, which is then used to generate electricity through a generator. | Wind Turbines |
| How do wind turbines respond to unfavorable wind conditions? | Wind turbines shut down or reduce their operation when wind speeds are too low, too high, or non-existent, leading to fluctuations in their energy output. |
| The effect of human activity and natural processes on the environment, including ecosystems, air, water, soil, and biodiversity. | Environmental Impact |
| A greenhouse gas produced primarily by the combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and various industrial processes, contributing to global warming and climate change. | Carbon Dioxide (CO2) |
| How do fossil fuels contribute to environmental damage? | Fossil fuels contribute to environmental damage by emitting carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants when burned, leading to climate change, air pollution, and acid rain. |
| Rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, primarily caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from human activities, leading to environmental damage. | Acid Rain |
| What environmental impact is associated with burning coal and oil? | Burning coal and oil releases sulfur dioxide, a major contributor to acid rain, which can harm ecosystems, damage vegetation, and degrade water quality. |
| Hazardous waste generated from nuclear power plants and other nuclear processes, containing radioactive materials that emit ionizing radiation and pose risks to health and the environment. | Radioactive Waste |
| What environmental hazard is associated with nuclear fuels? | Nuclear fuels produce radioactive waste, which poses risks to human health and the environment and requires careful long-term storage due to its hazardous nature. |
| What environmental impact is associated with hydroelectric dams? | Hydroelectric dams often require large areas of land to be flooded, leading to the destruction of natural habitats and ecosystems. |
| Large areas of land where multiple wind turbines are installed to generate electricity from wind energy. | Wind Farms |
| What is the environmental concern associated with wind farms and solar farms? | Wind farms and solar farms may require large areas of land for installation, potentially leading to habitat destruction and ecosystem disruption. |
| Fuels derived from organic materials, such as plants or algae, which can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels for transportation and energy production. | Biofuels |
| A state where the net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is balanced by the absorption or removal of an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide, resulting in no overall increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. | Carbon Neutral |
| How can biofuels be carbon neutral? | Biofuels can be carbon neutral if the amount of carbon dioxide released during their combustion is offset by the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed during the growth of the plants used for biofuel production. |
| What environmental concern arises from the production of biofuels? | The production of biofuels may lead to the destruction of natural habitats and ecosystems if large areas of land are cleared to grow crops for biofuel production. |
| Energy resources that are naturally replenished over time, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal energy. | Renewable Energy Resources |
| Why are renewable energy resources generally considered better for the environment? | Renewable energy resources produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants, have minimal environmental impact, and do not deplete finite resources compared to non-renewable resources. |
| Influences and decisions made by governments and political institutions that affect energy policies, regulations, subsidies, and investments in energy infrastructure. | Political Factors |
| How do political factors influence the transition to renewable energy? | Political factors, such as government policies and incentives, can either promote or hinder the adoption of renewable energy technologies depending on the priorities and interests of policymakers and political parties. |
| Aspects of society, including public attitudes, cultural values, consumer preferences, and community engagement, that influence energy consumption patterns and attitudes towards energy resources. | Social Factors |
| How do social factors impact the adoption of renewable energy? | Social factors, such as public awareness, acceptance of renewable energy projects, and community engagement, play a crucial role in shaping the demand for and acceptance of renewable energy technologies. |
| Financial considerations, including costs, investments, subsidies, market dynamics, and economic incentives, that influence energy production, consumption, and investment decisions. | Economic Factors |
| Why is the transition to renewable energy slow despite their environmental benefits? | Economic factors, such as the profitability of fossil fuel industries, the high initial costs of renewable energy infrastructure, and the availability of cheap fossil fuels, pose challenges to the widespread adoption of renewable energy. |
| Non-renewable energy resources, including coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient organisms over millions of years and extracted from the Earth's crust for energy production. | Fossil Fuels |
| What are some economic factors that favor the continued use of fossil fuels? | The economic dependence of certain countries on fossil fuel exports, the relatively low cost of fossil fuel extraction and production, and the established infrastructure for fossil fuel-based energy systems contribute to the persistence of fossil fuel usage. |
