Powering the earth

• Combustion


  A chemical reaction that occurs when fuel combines with oxygen to produce heat/light
• Fuel


  Substances that are consumed to produce energy
• Complete combustion


  Hydrocarbon + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water + heat
• Incomplete combustion


  Hydrocarbon + oxygen -> carbon monoxide + carbon + water + heat
• Fossil Fuels


  Hydrocarbons formed from the remains of dead plants/animals
• Oil/gas


  Formed from the remains of marine plants/animals
• Coal/Peat


  Formed from the remains of dead swamp plants
• Nuclear energy


  The energy that holds the nucleus of an atom together
• Nuclear fission


  The splitting of a nucleus, energy is released
• Nuclear fusion


  The fusion or joining of 2 nuclei, energy is released
• Conserving energy


  Any behaviour that results in the use of less energy
• Energy efficiency


  Using technology that requires less energy
• Renewable energy


  Energy sources that do not run out or can be replaced naturally over a relatively short period of time
• Non-renewable or Finite energy


  Energy sources that cannot be replaced once consumed, mostly fossil fuels
• Renewable energy


  • Wind - wind turns the turbines that generate electricity
  • Solar - kinetic electrical energy, cheap/renewable
• Advantages of renewable energy

  • Damage to wildlife/visual
  • Intermittent affects