Energy Basics and Resources Quiz

Energy Basics

• Energy is the capacity to do work or cause change.
• Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.
• Potential energy is stored energy due to position or configuration.
• The Law of Conservation of Energy states energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted.
• Energy transformations change energy from one form to another.
• Power is the rate of energy transfer or conversion, measured in watts (W) or joules per second (J/s).
• Efficiency is the ratio of useful energy output to total energy input, expressed as a percentage. High efficiency minimizes waste.

Types of Energy Resources

• Renewable resources replenish naturally (solar, wind, hydropower).
• Renewable sources are sustainable and have lower environmental impact compared to non-renewable sources.
• Non-renewable resources are finite and depleted faster than replenished (fossil fuels, nuclear).
• Fossil fuels are organic matter converted into coal, oil or natural gas over millions of years.
• Nuclear energy is released via nuclear fission or fusion reactions.
• Alternative energy sources include geothermal, tidal, and biomass.

Fossil Fuels

• Coal is formed from ancient plant remains, burned to generate electricity but produces pollutants.
• Oil (petroleum) is a liquid fossil fuel formed from marine organisms.
• Natural gas is primarily composed of methane and is formed alongside oil deposits. It is cleaner burning than coal or oil but still emits greenhouse gases.
• Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) releases trapped oil and gas but is controversial due to potential environmental impacts.
• Fossil fuel combustion releases carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
• Peak oil is the point where global oil production reaches its maximum rate, raising energy security concerns.

Renewable Energy Sources

• Solar energy converts sunlight to electricity using PV cells or concentrated solar thermal systems.
• Wind energy uses wind turbines to convert kinetic energy to electricity. Offshore wind farms are more consistent.
• Hydropower uses water flow through turbines in dams or run-of-river systems to generate energy, but can disrupt ecosystems.
• Geothermal energy uses heat from the Earth's crust for heating, cooling, and electricity generation.
• Biomass uses organic matter (wood, crops, waste) as fuel. It may be carbon-neutral if regrowth absorbs the released CO2 but may displace food or habitat production.
• Tidal energy uses the tides' rise and fall to generate electricity, but is limited to areas with high tidal ranges.

Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear fission splits heavy atomic nuclei (e.g., uranium-235) to release energy.
• Nuclear power plants use controlled fission to generate steam for turbines.
• Nuclear fusion combines light atomic nuclei (e.g., hydrogen) forming heavier elements which releases energy. Fusion is difficult to control.
• Nuclear power has high energy density, low greenhouse gas emissions, and reliable baseload generation but also faces high construction costs, risks of accidents and long-term radioactive waste disposal problems.
• Uranium enrichment increases the concentration of fissile uranium-235 for nuclear fuel, leading to proliferation concerns.
• Nuclear fusion research aims for a clean, limitless energy source but faces challenges maintaining stable plasma confinement and achieving net energy gain.

Energy Consumption Patterns

• Global energy consumption has greatly increased since the Industrial Revolution.
• Fossil fuels currently dominate the global energy mix.
• Developed countries have higher per capita energy consumption than developing countries.
• Energy poverty affects over 1 billion people, limiting economic opportunities in developing regions.

Environmental Impacts

• Fossil fuel combustion releases greenhouse gases (GHGs) contributing to climate change (rising sea levels, extreme weather events).
• Air pollution harms human health, causes acid rain, and reduces visibility.
• Oil spills devastate marine environments.
• Mining and drilling can degrade land and disrupt ecosystems.
• Nuclear accidents release radioactive material, causing long-term environmental harm.

Future of Energy

• Transitioning to a low-carbon energy system is crucial for mitigating climate change.
• Renewable energy, energy efficiency, electrification are needed.
• Energy storage technologies (batteries, pumped hydro, hydrogen) are essential for integrating variable renewables.
• Smart grids optimize energy distribution.
• Carbon pricing mechanisms (carbon taxes, cap-and-trade) incentivize cleaner energy adoption.
• International cooperation is needed to address global energy and climate challenges.
• Energy equity ensures access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy for all.