5 th Grade Alternative Energy Click on this picture to see a little history about our energy use and the importance for us to find alternative energy resources.

Intro to Alternative Energy You are about to watch a video created by the US Department of Energy. In this video, President Obama and scientific researchers express the need for our country to develop research and technology for alternative energy sources. As you watch, think about question below: o Based on what you heard in this video and the previous video, why do you think it is so important for our country to advance in alternative energy research and production? Click here to play the video:

What is Energy? Energy is one of the most fundamental parts of our universe. We use energy to do work. Energy lights our cities. Energy powers our vehicles, trains, planes and rockets. Energy warms our homes, cooks our food, plays our music, gives us pictures on television. Energy powers machinery in factories and tractors on a farm. Energy from the sun gives us light during the day. It dries our clothes when they're hanging outside on a clothes line. It helps plants grow. Energy stored in plants is eaten by animals, giving them energy. And predator animals eat their prey, which gives the predator animal energy.

What is Energy? Everything we do is connected to energy in one form or another. Energy is defined as: " the ability to do work. " When we eat, our bodies transform the energy stored in the food into energy to do work. When we run or walk, we "burn" food energy in our bodies. When we think or read or write, we are also doing work. Many times it's really hard work! Cars, planes, light bulbs, boats and machinery also transform energy into work. Work means moving something, lifting something, warming something, lighting something.

What do we use energy for? Create a circle map showing all the ways that you use energy every day. Think about all the things that you do to get ready for school, to get to school, and the things you do throughout the day that require electricity or natural gas.

There are many sources of energy… Some things that we use oil, coal, and natural gas to produce electricity could be powered with alternative energy sources. Click on the picture below to see the renewable energy sources the world is using.

For Your Notes:

Types of Alternative Energy: Hydropower or Hydroelectricity Solar Energy Biomass or Biofuels Wind Energy Geothermal But how is electricity made from these sources? Click on the link below to find out how electricity is generated.

How do generators make electricity?

For Your Notes:

Hydropower See what happens when water passes through a dam: oelectricDam.html oelectricDam.html

Vocabulary Connection Hydro = water Hydrate – containing water o I had to hydrate my plants by adding water to the soil because they were wilted. Dehydrated - the loss of water o I worked out really hard and sweated a lot so I was very dehydrated. What are some other words that have “hydro” in them? How do those words relate to water?

For Your Notes:

Vocabulary Connection sol (Spanish) = sun solar - involving the sun parasol – an umbrella that protects you from the sun o Because it was very hot outside, the ladies at the picnic shaded themselves from the sun with their parasols. Solarium - a room where one is exposed to sun light. o Our plants grow best in the solarium because they get light every day. Why do we say our planets and moons are a part of the “solar system”?

Solar Energy

Active Solar Heating

Solar Collector  Glass on outside  Absorbent on inside  Circulating Fluid

Using solar energy to heat water…saves electricity!

How do you think this car uses solar energy to move? What are the advantages of using solar energy to power cars? What are some disadvantages?

For Your Notes:

What Makes Wind It is all about DENSITY!!

Wind Energy How does a wind turbine work?

For Your Notes:

Vocabulary Connection bio = life or living systems mass = amount of matter that is in an object Biomass = organic matter used as a fuel, especially in a power station for the generation of electricity. This energy source is also called “biofuel” or, if it is in gaseous form, “biogas.” What other words have the prefix “bio” in them? How do those words relate to “life”?

Biomass Basics This organic matter can be burned directly. Also, once these things ferment (or rot), produce gases such as methanol or ethanol that can be used to fuel a fire. The gases can also be compressed to turn a turbine which then generates electricity. Click here to see an animation: e_Energy_Website/biomass.htm e_Energy_Website/biomass.htm

Biomass Basics What else (besides wood) on farms could be burned or allowed to ferment (rot) in order to generate energy?

For Your Notes:

Vocabulary Connection geo = relating to the earth therm = heat geothermal = relating to the internal heat of the Earth Geothermal energy is power generated from natural steam, hot water, hot rocks, or lava in the Earth's crust. What other words have the prefix “geo” in them? How do those words relate to “the Earth”? What other words have the prefix or root word “therm” in them? How do those words relate to “heat”?

Geothermal Energy Basics See how geothermal energy creates electricity:

Where Geothermal Energy is Found Geothermal reservoirs are naturally occurring areas of hydrothermal resources. They are deep underground and are largely undetectable above ground. Geothermal energy finds its way to the earth's surface in three ways: Volcanoes (or holes/cracks in the earth’s crust) Hot springs Geysers (See Old Faithful erupt: ) When magma comes near the earth's surface, it heats ground water trapped in porous rock or water running along fractured rock surfaces and faults. Hydrothermal features have two common ingredients, water (hydro) and heat (thermal). Geologists use various methods to find geothermal reservoirs. Drilling a well and testing the temperature deep underground is the most reliable method for locating a geothermal reservoir. Why does Old Faithful erupt on a schedule? Check this out to see how geysers erupt and recharge: Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Geothermal Energy Basics Most geothermal resources are near tectonic plate boundaries The most active geothermal resources are usually found along major tectonic plate boundaries where earthquakes and volcanoes are located. One of the most active geothermal areas in the world is called the Ring of Fire. Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Review Time!!!

Excellent diagrams to show how the energy sources actually create energy. Great to show that most energy sources turn turbines (mechanical energy) to produce the electricity. kids/renewable-energy kids/renewable-energy-101 Drag and drop the correct labels to match the energy source: Sources-01.htmhttp:// Sources-01.htm Short videos to show how turbines work, etc. Videos are designed for 5 th – 12 th but are well done. Need more review?...

Name that Energy Source!

No batteries!

Name that Energy Source!