1.3.1

Fossil Fuels & Geothermal Energy

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Energy Resources

An energy resource is used to generate electricity and other useful forms of energy.

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Energy resource rotates a turbine

  • First, an energy resource is used to rotate a turbine.
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Rotates a coil of wire

  • The rotating turbine rotates a coil of wire in a magnetic field (a generator).
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Electricity as an energy carrier

  • The coil of wire creates an electric current. The electric current is an energy carrier (or pathway) that can take the energy to your home.

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels (such as coal and oil) are burned to heat a fluid (water), which creates steam and turns a turbine. The turbine rotates, which turns a generator.

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Advantages

  • Reliable, on-demand electricity.
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Disadvantages

  • Not renewable.
  • Inefficient.
  • Contributes to global warming.

Geothermal Energy

In volcanic places, magma (underground lava) has lots of internal energy. The magma heats rocks, which heat water in pipes. This rotates a turbine, which turns a generator.

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Advantages

  • Renewable.
  • Reliable.
  • Does not produce greenhouse gases.
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Disadvantages

  • Can only be used where there is volcanic activity close to the surface.
  • Geothermal plants can lead to the instability of the land surrounding it.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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