Description
1.
Differentiate between a renewable energy source, a nonrenewable energy source, and a clean energy source. Give an example of each.
Fully describe the method scientists use to determine the net energy available in a fossil fuel deposit.
3.
What are the three fossil fuels upon which humans rely? From what types of organisms do each of the three fuels specifically come?
4.
What are oil sands? Describe two problems associated with the extraction of oil sands.
5.
What is methane hydrate? Describe the possible environmental impacts of extraction.
6.
Why is the combustion of biomass considered to add no net gain in atmospheric carbon dioxide? When can biomass use as an energy source become nonrenewable?
7.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of growing corn for use in ethanol production.
8.
Name and describe the three major approaches to using hydropower to generate electricity.
9.
Differentiate between active solar energy collection and passive solar energy collection.
10.
What alternative energy source would you want your state to invest most of its budget in? Explain.
Explanation & Answer
Here you go Bonnie,Thank you very much.
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Unit 5 Environmental Science
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1.
Differentiate between a renewable energy source, a nonrenewable energy source, and a
clean energy source. Give an example of each.
Renewable energy sources are energy sources that are replaced naturally and within a
comparatively short duration. Examples of renewable energy sources include solar energy,
geothermal energy, wind energy and water energy. On the other hand, nonrenewable energy
sources are energy sources that are present in limited supply and can be depleted and cannot be
used repetitively. Examples of non-renewable energy sources include coal, oil, nuclear and
natural gas. A clean energy source refers to renewable, zero-emission energy sources and such
energy are saved via energy efficiency measures. An example of clean energy source is solar
energy often harvested using solar panels.
2.
Fully describe the method scientists use to determine the net energy available in a fossil fuel
deposit.
To determine the net energy present in a fossil fuel deposit, scientists often use the key specific
method. Scientists first measure the quantity of energy that is expected to be generated from
mining the deposit or source. According to Withgott & Laposata (2012), after the quantity of
energy to be extracted is assessed, the subsequent step in this method involves subtracting the
quantity of energy to be spent in the mining process of the fossil fuel from the quantity expected
to be gained. The quantity of energy to be spent on the mining process involves the price of
establishing new infrastructure, purchase of necessary heavy machinery as well as transportation
costs. All these costs are subtracted from the total amount of energy to be derived from mining
the source, and the resulting figure from this difference is the net energy. This method can be
illustrated by the following formula:
net energy = energy returned - energy invested
3.
What are the t...
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