Renewable vs Non-Renewable

​Renewable vs Non-Renewable

​A type of resource that is replenished as quickly, or more quickly, than as it is used. 

Renewable Resource

​A type of resource that cannot be replenished as quickly as it is used. 

​​Non-Renewable Resource

Multiple Choice

A resource that is used more quickly than it can be replenished is considered ______________.

• renewable

• non-renewable

• impossible

Categorize

Options (10)

Coal

Gasoline

Nuclear Fission

Solar

Wind

Hydropower

Geothermal

Nuclear Fusion

Diesel

Natural Gas

Try to organize the following resource types into the correct category. Take your best guess!

Non-Renewable

Renewable

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaXBVYr9Ij0

​Mined from the earth, coal is burned and the heat released is used to generate electricity.

​​Coal

Petroleum is drilled out of the Earth and then refined into gasoline or diesel to be used mostly in vehicles.

Petroleum

Trapped deep underground, Natural gas is used to heat homes, run various appliances, and in some vehicles.

​​Natural Gas

Uranium is mined from the earth and broken down. The energy released is used to generate electricity.

​​Nuclear Fission

​Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Multiple Choice

Which of these is a non-renewable resource?

• Solar

• Wind

• Hydropower

• Coal

​Over millions of years, dead plants turn into coal from heat and pressure underground.

How long to make it?

​Coal is mined from the ground and then transported to a factory where it is burned. The fire turns water into steam which turns a turbine to make electricity.

How to use it?

​Pros - Coal is cheap and easy to find; can produce a lot of electricity.
Cons - Creates toxic gases, limited supply, mining causes environmental issues.

Pros and Cons

​Coal

​Over millions of years, dead plants and animals are converted into petroleum through heat and pressure, similar to coal.

How long to make it?

​Petroleum is boiled and distilled into different fuels including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and industrial oil. It is then used in various types of engines to create power.

How to use it?

​Pros - Easy to extract, high power generation, easy to transport, reliable.
Cons - extracting, refining, and using are all hazardous to the environment.

Pros and Cons

Petroleum (Fossil Fuels)

Multiple Choice

All of the following are pros (good things) about coal except:

• Cheap

• Easy to find

• Good for the environment

• Makes lots of energy

Multiple Choice

Petroleum is found underground and can be turned into different types of fuel.

• True

• False

Formed from the same process as petroleum, Natural gas is taken from the ground and used in houses for heat, and to run stoves, water heaters, and grills.

It is cleaner than petroleum but still releases greenhouse gases when burned.

​​Natural Gas

In a nuclear reactor, uranium atoms are split apart and release great amounts of energy. That energy heats up water and turns a turbine to generate electricity.

There is only a small amount of uranium on Earth and more cannot be created.

Nuclear Fission

Match

Match the following Non-Renewable Energy to the proper definition.

• Made from dead plants, it is mined from the Earth and burned to generate electricity

• Made from dead plants and animals, it is drilled from the Earth and distilled to make different types of fuel.

• Gas found in the Earth that is used to heat houses, stoves, and grills.

• Uranium is split in a chemical reaction to create tremendous amounts of energy.

Coal

Petroleum

Natural Gas

Nuclear Fission

• Coal

• Petroleum

• Natural Gas

• Nuclear Fission

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kUE0BZtTRc

Best in areas with very few cloudy days and plenty of sunlight. Areas close to the equator and deserts are best for solar power.

Where is it found?

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity which is stored in batteries. That stored electricity can then be used to power devices just like any other form of electricity.

How to use it?

​Pros - Great for environment, energy independence, long-term savings.
Cons - Unreliable in some places, high cost upfront, dependent on sunlight.

Pros and Cons

​Solar Power

Multiple Choice

What is one bad thing about solar power?

• It makes a lot of toxic gases

• It helps cut down on energy costs

• It is unreliable because of the weather

• It is non-renewable

Tops of hills, plains, water, and mountain gaps. Locations that have consistent wind with little to know variation in intensity.

Where is it found?

Wind spins a giant fan-like turbine which spins a generator (a motor that creates electricity). The turbine can turn and face the wind from any direction.

How to use it?

​Pros - Great for environment, energy independence, long-term savings.
Cons - Unreliable in some places, high cost upfront, dependent on wind.

Pros and Cons

​Wind Power

Hydropower can be generated anywhere there is a flowing stream or river. Power generated can be transported great distances with power lines.

Where is it found?

Water travels through the dam and spins a turbine that generates electricity. This is similar to how wind turbines work, but with water!

How to use it?

​Pros - Reliable, no greenhouse emissions, can be big or small, cheap energy
Cons - Habitat destruction, high cost to build, can be affected by droughts

Pros and Cons

Hydropower

Categorize

Options (16)

Takes millions of years to make

Cheap and easy to find

Releases greenhouse gasses when burned

Best in areas with clear skies

Uses the sun to make electricity

Unreliable

Requires Uranium

Creates dangerous radioactive waste

Atoms are split to release energy

Can cause habitat destruction

Most reliable renewable

Requires river or moving water

Organize these options into the right categories

Coal

Solar

Nuclear Fusion

Hydropower