ENERGY CONCEPTS AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION ENERGY LESSON 1

LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS 1 st Law- Energy cannot be created or destroyed 2 nd Law- When energy is converted from one form to another, a less useful form results (energy quality). Energy cannot be recycled to a higher quality.

CONCEPTS Energy is the ability to do work The unit of energy is the joule (J) Power is work divided my time The unit of power is joules per second (J/s); or, a watt (w) Power = work/time Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the most common unit of power

FORMS OF ENERGY

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

MORE ENERGY CONSUMPTION Wood was the predominant form of energy until the Industrial Revolution Coal surpassed wood’s usage during the Industrial Revolution Petroleum overtook coal in the middle of the 20th century and is still the primary source of energy around the world Natural gas and coal developed rapidly in the second half of the 20th century

CURRENT CONTROVERSIES: FRACKING

CURRENT CONTROVERSIES: KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE

CURRENT ENERGY USE In the U.S., most energy comes from nonrenewable energy sources, which are called such because their supplies are limited. Nonrenewable energy sources include coal, petroleum, natural gas, propane, and uranium Renewable energy sources include biomass, geothermal energy, hydropower, solar energy, and wind energy. They are called renewable because they are replenished in a relatively short time

FUTURE ENERGY NEEDS Over the next few decades, we’re likely to see continued growth and reliance on: petroleum, natural gas, and coal The most realistic, economical, and viable resources of future energy needs for the immediate future are: coal, methane hydrates, oil shale, and tar sands