Remarkable Resources
Humans & Energy (4:32)
Natural Resources
• something that is found in nature and is
necessary or useful to humans
• Ex.: trees, minerals, water
2 categories:
_Non-renewable resources:
• are used faster than they can be
replaced naturally
_Renewable resources_:
• can be replaced by natural processes in
a relatively short amount of time
–These include inexhaustible resources
such as solar, geothermal, and wind
Types of Nonrenewable Energy:
1. _Fossil Fuels__________
• Coal
• Oil
• Natural gas
2.Nuclear energy (uranium)
Types of Renewable Energy
1. Solar
2. Wind
3. Water
4. Geothermal
5. Biomass
Nonrenewable Resources
1. _Fossil fuels_: coal, oil (AKA
petroleum), and natural gas
• formed from remains of prehistoric
organisms
• type of fuel made depends on:
– type of organisms
– where they got buried
– how long they were buried
2._Nuclear energy_:
• Energy released from atomic reactions
• Uranium atoms are “split” making energy
to produce steam, turning turbine to
create electricity.
Renewable Resources
1. _Solar energy: sun’s rays
• solar cells capture sunlight and transfer
energy into useable form for electricity
and heating H2O.
2._Wind energy:
• wind turns turbines (large windmills)
which use a motor to convert into
electricity
• Mainly used near coast and prairies
3._Water (hydro) energy: produces
energy 2 ways:
a. _Hydroelectric _power- a dam is built
across a river of fast flowing water.
b. __Tidal power-areas with big
difference in hi and low tides; as H2O
crosses turbine, it makes power
4. _Geothermal Energy:
• uses heat from within earth
• thermal energy makes steam to turn
drills/turbines to make electricity
Advantages-little pollution, available
Disadvantages-limited to tectonic
areas, habitat disruption
from drilling
5. _Biomass energy _:
• energy produced by burning organic
matter (plant material, animal wastes)
• can be made into fuel for vehicles