ENERGY SOURCES
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Energy is the capacity of a system to do work or cause physical change.
Energy is essential for:
- Domestic activities
- Transportation
- Industries
- Agriculture
- Communication
- Education
- Health services
- Construction
- Scientific research
- Economic development
Energy sources can broadly be divided into:
- Renewable energy sources
- Non-renewable energy sources
This chapter focuses mainly on energy obtained from the environment, especially:
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Geothermal energy
- Tidal energy
- Ocean wave energy
- Hydroelectric power
PART A: ENERGY FROM THE ENVIRONMENT
2.0 ENERGY FROM THE ENVIRONMENT
Energy from the environment refers to energy obtained from natural processes and resources surrounding us.
The Earth receives and stores energy in different forms.
Major environmental energy sources include:
- Solar radiation
- Wind
- Moving water
- Ocean waves
- Ocean tides
- Geothermal heat
Many of these sources are renewable because they are naturally replenished.
KEY TERMS FOR THE TOPIC
Renewable energy
Energy obtained from resources that are naturally replenished.
Solar energy
Energy obtained from the Sun.
Wind energy
Energy obtained from moving air.
Geothermal energy
Energy obtained from heat inside the Earth.
Tidal energy
Energy obtained from the movement or level changes of ocean water caused mainly by gravitational interactions involving the Moon and Sun.
Wave energy
Energy obtained from ocean wave motion.
Hydroelectric power
Electricity generated using the energy of moving or falling water.
Turbine
A machine that converts the energy of a moving fluid into rotational mechanical energy. Generator
A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Efficiency
The ratio of useful output energy or power to input energy or power.
Chapter 5: Energy Sources – Physics Form Six
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