Natural Resources Worksheet
Complete the following table:
| Fossil Fuel | Alternative Energy | |
| Identify 3 types of both energy categories and what they are most often used to power. | 1.Coal
It is a black rock that is often used to produce energy. 2.Natural gas The natural gas is a mixture of various diverse gasses such as nitrogen, ethane, and carbon dioxide (Melikoglu, M. 2016). The natural gas is used to cook. 3.Oil or petroleum It is in liquid form and they are stored into numerous types of fuels such as airplane fuel and diesel. |
1.Atomic
The nuclear energy is used to generate electricity. It is also used to create bombs 2. Renewable Energy example of renewable energy includes biomass, geothermal, wind, and solar energy.
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| Benefits to using these energy types | They are burned to produce electricity. They are easily accessible and they produce large amount of energy that can be used in companies. Also, fossil energy produces the highest level of calorific value. Further, the source of energy is stable as it is composed of the hydrogen and carbon and hydrogen molecules.
The refine fossil fuels are used as fuel. The benefit is that they are available in large quantity (Shakun, J. D. et al. 2012). They are cheap to extract making the source of energy less expensive. Also, transportation as the oil, gas and coal are stored and conveyed easily from one place to another. |
According to Melikoglu, M. (2016), the nuclear or atomic technology is readily available. It produces a high amount of electrical energy in a single plant.
The renewable energy is derived from wind, sun, rain, geothermal, and waves. It is useful in the generation of electric power, heating and cooling, transportation, and rural energy services. Also, it requires less maintenance compared to the traditional generators. The practice increases tourism as there is no destruction of biosphere. It can boost economic activities to regional areas as the projects are located away from the cities and suburbs that surround the town. It has also created numerous jobs.
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| Environmental impacts of using these energy types | The fossil energy pollutes the environment as they release carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and other harmful gasses in the air (Berrone, P. et al. 2013). The consequence of this is global warming. During the production of electricity, there is a less renewable impact on the environment. However, they also contribute to global warming and harming our ecosystems. | The renewable energy aids in the enhancement of environmental quality and public health as majority do not pollute air or water. It creates little or no waste products such as chemicals and carbon dioxide. Thus, it reduces its environmental impact.
Nuclear power is also beneficial in the fact that it is reliable, robust, and efficient (Berrone, P. et al. 2013). It emits low amount of carbon dioxide. The production of greenhouse gases and the input to global warming is comparatively little. |
| Are these energy types renewable? Explain. | Fossil energy is not renewable. According to Berrone, P. et al. (2013), the reason is that they are not obtainable once they are completely utilized. | Yes. The only renewable energy is the one derived from biomass, geothermal, wind, and solar (Shakun, J. D. et al. 2012). The nuclear power is non-renewable as the uranium deposit is limited, unlike solar and the wind. Being renewable means that it has immensity of sustainability and cannot run out of supply.
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References
Berrone, P., Fosfuri, A., Gelabert, L., & Gomez‐Mejia, L. R. (2013). Necessity as the mother of ‘green’inventions: Institutional pressures and environmental innovations. Strategic Management Journal, 34(8), 891-909.
Melikoglu, M. (2016). The role of renewables and nuclear energy in Turkey׳ s Vision 2023 energy targets: Economic and technical scrutiny. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 62, 1-12.
Shakun, J. D., Clark, P. U., He, F., Marcott, S. A., Mix, A. C., Liu, Z., … & Bard, E. (2012). Global warming preceded by increasing carbon dioxide concentrations during the last deglaciation. Nature, 484(7392), 49-54.
What are some ways people have affected biogeochemical cycles in your area?
