Unit C Section 4 Introduction Providing the Heat Humans Require
Completion requirements
Section 4: Different energy sources can provide the heat humans require.
Unit C: Section 4 – Introduction
Figure C.S.4.1 – Fossil fuels, such as oil, are sources of non-renewable energy.
Figure C.S.4.2 – Nuclear energy is a
non-renewable energy source that produces a lot of energy.
Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Sources
People need energy for many aspects of daily life. We use energy to heat buildings, to produce electricity, and to transport goods around the planet. We use a lot of energy to maintain our modern lifestyles – and oil wells do go dry!
Humans rely largely on non-renewable energy sources to meet our energy needs. Over time, non-renewable energy sources are depleted and cannot be replenished. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) are our main non-renewable energy sources. Fossil fuels take millions of years to form in the Earth.
Sometimes, deciding whether an energy source is renewable or non-renewable can be tricky. Generally, nuclear energy is considered to be non-renewable because the special minerals used currently by most nuclear reactors will be depleted someday. However, some argue that nuclear energy should be labelled renewable because technologies are being developed that extend the use of nuclear fuel.
People need energy for many aspects of daily life. We use energy to heat buildings, to produce electricity, and to transport goods around the planet. We use a lot of energy to maintain our modern lifestyles – and oil wells do go dry!
Humans rely largely on non-renewable energy sources to meet our energy needs. Over time, non-renewable energy sources are depleted and cannot be replenished. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) are our main non-renewable energy sources. Fossil fuels take millions of years to form in the Earth.
Sometimes, deciding whether an energy source is renewable or non-renewable can be tricky. Generally, nuclear energy is considered to be non-renewable because the special minerals used currently by most nuclear reactors will be depleted someday. However, some argue that nuclear energy should be labelled renewable because technologies are being developed that extend the use of nuclear fuel.
Figure C.S.4.3 – Firewood comes from trees, a renewable resource because they can be replanted to re-grow.
In addition, nuclear fuel can be extracted from seawater, making generation of nuclear energy possible for many thousands of years at current rates of consumption.
Depending completely on non-renewable energy sources is a concern because, when they run out, they’re completely gone. Because most people do not want to change their modern lifestyles to use less energy, we need to find alternative sources of energy.
The alternative to non-renewable energy is renewable energy sources – sources that can be replenished in a short time. Renewable energy sources include solar energy and wind energy. Renewable energy can come also from living things that reproduce quickly, such as wood, and from composting biomass.
Depending completely on non-renewable energy sources is a concern because, when they run out, they’re completely gone. Because most people do not want to change their modern lifestyles to use less energy, we need to find alternative sources of energy.
The alternative to non-renewable energy is renewable energy sources – sources that can be replenished in a short time. Renewable energy sources include solar energy and wind energy. Renewable energy can come also from living things that reproduce quickly, such as wood, and from composting biomass.
Watch More
Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Sources
Watch this video to learn more about some non-renewable energy sources.
Watch this video to learn more about some non-renewable energy sources.
These videos give an overview of some renewable energy sources.
Words to Think About:
Check out the word cloud below. It pictures the important words that you are going to learn in this section. Watch for these words, and combinations of these words, as you read. When you see them highlighted, you can click on them to learn more about
what the word means.
Lessons in This Section
Lesson C12: Energy Sources
Key Question – How can we obtain all the energy that society needs?
Lesson C13: Energy Conservation
Key Question – Are heat and energy so plentiful that we can waste them?
Reading and Materials for This Section
Science in Action 7
Reading Pages: 238–252
Materials Lists for Unit:
Connections
Figure C.S.4.4 – Algae are tiny organisms that make food by photosynthesis.
Figure C.S.4.5 – Researchers are working to produce biofuel oil from algae.
Connections: Technology
>> Algae Fuel
Liquid fuels are especially desirable because they contain lots of energy, they transport easily, and they store well. That is why we use liquid fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel to power vehicles, ships, and airplanes. We depend on these modes of transportation to ship food, manufactured goods, and people around the world.
Because liquid fuels are so useful, researchers are trying to find sources of renewable liquid fuels that can be used over and over again. One potential source of renewable liquid fuel is algae -- yes, that green scum on your favourite lake!.
Algae are small organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis. Oil can be extracted from dead algae and burned to provide energy.
>> Algae Fuel
Liquid fuels are especially desirable because they contain lots of energy, they transport easily, and they store well. That is why we use liquid fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel to power vehicles, ships, and airplanes. We depend on these modes of transportation to ship food, manufactured goods, and people around the world.
Because liquid fuels are so useful, researchers are trying to find sources of renewable liquid fuels that can be used over and over again. One potential source of renewable liquid fuel is algae -- yes, that green scum on your favourite lake!.
Algae are small organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis. Oil can be extracted from dead algae and burned to provide energy.
Watch More
Algae Fuel
Watch these videos to learn more about algae biofuel technology.
Watch these videos to learn more about algae biofuel technology.