Unit 10: Energy

Essential Question: How do we power our lives?

Standards:

  • SEV4. Students will understand and describe availability, allocation, and conservation of energy resources

a.  Differentiate between renewable and nonrenewable resources including how different resources are produced, rates of use, renewable rates and limitations of sources.

b.  Describe how technology is increasing the efficiency of utilization and accessibility of resources.

c.  Describe how energy and other resource utilization impact the environment and recognize that individuals as well as larger entities have an impact on energy efficiency.

e. Describe the commonly used fuels (e.g. fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, etc.) and some alternative fuels (e.g. wind, solar, ethanol, etc.) including the required technology, availability, pollution problems and implementation problems. Recognize the origin of fossil fuels and the problems associated with our dependence on this energy source.

f. Describe the need for informed decision making of resource utilization

Objectives: Students will be able to…

  • Define energy and state the Law of Conservation of Energy
  • Recognize that in terms of energy, earth is an open system
  • Identify the main users of energy in the U.S.
  • Differentiate between renewable and nonrenewable energy resources & their rates of renewal
  • Describe each fossil fuels and their respective sources and pros and cons
  • Explain the difference between fission and fusion
  • List the main equipment used and the steps in generating electricity
  • Describe the advantages and disadvantages of alternative energies such as wind, solar, hydroelectricity, geothermal, and biomass
  • Describe alternative transportation options such as hybrid and fuel cell vehicles
  • Name energy conservation practices and options

Unit 10: Vocabulary

Instructions: Define using the definitions found in our Global Science textbook. For most definitions, just write the ENTIRE FIRST COMPLETE SENTENCE (unless otherwise instructed). Don’t forget to complete a VOCAB MENU OPTION to earn a 100%!

1.  Coal

2.  Conservation of Energy (Law of)

3.  Energy

4.  Fission

5.  Fossil fuels

6.  Fuel cell

7.  Fusion

8.  Generator

9.  Hydropower

10.  Natural gas

11.  Nonrenewable resources

12.  Nuclear reactor

13.  Photovoltaic cell

14.  Renewable resources

15.  Tidal energy