ENERGY RESOURCES 14-2 Objective: To know some of Earth’s natural resources can be used for energy, usually through conversion to electricity.

Fossil Fuels Fossil Fuels formed in Earth’s crust over hundreds of millions of years. They are nonrenewable resources because they cannot form as fast as they are used. Coal, oil, and natural gas are examples of ff’s.

Energy from Fossil Fuels People use fossil fuels as the primary source for energy. Fossil fuels contain a lot of stored energy and burn easily to heat water and make steam.

Formation of Fossil Fuels They are made from dead plants and organisms that have died and have been in the ground for hundreds of millions of years.

Oil Formation Microscopic plants and bacteria are the main source of oil. 1. Some of these organisms were producers, using energy from the Sun to make food for growth and reproduction. When they died, they fell to the seafloor. 2. The microscopic organisms were buried under clay. 3. Many layers of clay and mud increased the pressure and temperature, forming liquid oil.

Coal Formation Coal is the most abundant of all the fossil fuels. 1. Coal formed the incomplete decay of plants. 2. The partially decayed plant material, called peat, becomes sandwiched between layers of sediment. 3. Soft coal forms under moderate pressure and heat. 4. As more heat and pressure are applied, the soft coal becomes hard coal.

Natural Gas Formation Natural gas forms along with oil. 1. Because it is less dense than oil, natural gas is usually found above oil deposits. 2. At low temperatures, more oil is produced relative to natural gas. At higher temperatures, however, more natural gas is created, as opposed to oil. Natural gas is usually associated with oil in deposits that are 1- 3km below Earth’s crust. 3. Natural gas is found in areas beneath layers of solid rock. The rock prevents the gas from escaping to the surface.

Coal continued… Coal near Earth’s surface can be extracted by stripping away the land surface. Strip mining is cost effective if the coal is close to the surface. Underground Mines are created by digging down into Earth at an angle to form tunnels. Underground mines must be supported by beams and pillars. Miners must wear masks to be protected from polluted air. To inhale the black coal dust can dangerous to your lungs, and many miners suffered from a disease called the Black Lung.

Alternatives to Fossil Fuels Alternative energy sources, including water, wind, ocean waves, and natural heat sources beneath Earth’s surface can be used to produce electricity. 1. Hydroelectric Power: Is a renewable energy source. Large dams block the flow of water from major rivers and create lakes behind the dams. As the water moves through the dams, turbines generate electricity.

2. Wind Energy: Wind towers require a steady wind that is not too strong or too weak. Wind towers connect to generators. It is a renewable method, but because of the lack of consistent wind prevents it from being a sole source of electricity.

Geothermal Energy: Is the heat energy near Earth’s crust. The extreme heat found near geysers and volcanoes can be used to generate steam for electricity. It is clean, renewable, and safe.

Nuclear Energy: All matter is made of atoms Nuclear Energy: All matter is made of atoms. These atoms can be split apart and release a large amount of energy. When these atoms are split apart it releases an energy called Nuclear Fission. When the atoms split, the energy that is released heats water in the reactor. Steam is produced and turns the a turbine. The turbine runs a generator that creates electricity.

In a nuclear fusion reaction, two atoms of hydrogen that are heavier than normal, called deuterium, join together to form one atom. This is the same type of reaction that powers the Sun.

Solar Energy Sunlight is a renewable resource because we can never use up all the energy from the Sun. Solar energy converts the light and heat energy from the Sun. Solar panels are made up of tiny solar cells and store the energy in a series of batteries for later use.

Biomass: Is the organic matter in plants that can be used to produce fuels. Wave Energy: You can harness the energy from waves in the ocean.