Energy Sources: Petroleum and Nuclear Energy

Study Notes

Also known as mineral oil or crude oil, petroleum is a vital liquid mineral.
Products derived from petroleum include petrol, diesel, cooking gas, and kerosene.
Found deep within the Earth's crust.

Utilizes radioactive materials, primarily uranium, to generate energy.
Heat is produced when neutrons collide with uranium fuel rods in reactors.
This heat converts water into steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity.

Can be replaced naturally in a short time or recycled.
Examples include wind energy, solar power, hydroelectricity, and geothermal energy.
Reusable and recycled multiple times without depletion.
Environmentally friendly; minimal to no harm caused when utilized.

Cannot be replaced or require millions of years for natural processes to regenerate.
Examples include petrol, coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy.
Once consumed, these resources cannot be reused or recycled.
Large environmental harm due to emissions from usage.

Resources are materials found in the environment, utilized by living beings for various needs.

Essential for human survival, examples include air, water, woods, animals, and minerals.
Man-made resources arise when natural items are enhanced to increase their value.

Classified based on availability for human consumption as renewable and non-renewable.

Solar Energy: Generated from sunlight; vital for photosynthesis in plants.
Wind Energy: Uses air movement for energy; crucial for photosynthesis and respiration in organisms.
Hydro Energy: Generated from the movement of water; utilized for electricity generation from rivers or dams.
Soil: Provides the essential layer for plant growth, contributing significantly to food production.
Biogas: A mixture of gases from the breakdown of organic materials, commonly used as fuel, especially in rural areas.

Fossil Fuels: Non-renewable; includes coal, natural gas, and petroleum; limited supply leading to rising energy prices.
Coal: Used for electricity generation, fuel, and in industrial processes.
Natural Gas: Also referred to as compressed natural gas; burns efficiently, providing a large amount of heat and an excellent source of hydrogen.