Aim: How Can We Describe the Usefulness of Alternative Energy Sources

Do Now: On Paper, List As Many Sources of Energy As You Can.

H.W.:

Some Energy Sources:• Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil, Natural Gas)• Sun (Solar Energy)• Running Water (Hydro Power)• Wind• Nuclear• Hydrogen Cells• Ethanol Gas

How Do We Get Power? Turbines are turned by an outside

source of energy The turning of the turbine can cause

an electrical charge or allow for power

The electrical charge can then power electric motors and machines

Pollution (Smog) Non-Renewable Green House Effect Acid Rain

Problems With Fossil Fuels

Wind Energy

1. Wind Pushes on the angled blades, causing it to spin.

2. The spinning turns the turbine, producing power!

3. Wind is considered a renewable resource, it produces no pollution.

Downside1. Not very aesthetic2. Not totally reliable3. Disrupts migration of certain birds

Hydroelectric

1. Running water turns the turbines, producing energy

2. Practice of hydro power has been around for a long time, watermills

3. More reliable than wind or solarA. Most powerful hydro plants have

an impact on the environmentB. Can affect wildlife

Solar Energy

Light strikes a photovoltaic cell causing sunlight to transform into electrical energy

1. Sunlight is abundant, responsible for 99% of renewable energy on Earth

2. Electric power can be collected and stored in batteries for use when no sun is available

A. A lot of energy is lost in the conversion

B. Photovoltaic cells are delicate

Hydrogen Cell

1. Chemical bonds in Hydrogen are broken, making energy available

2. The energy causes movement of electrons = Electrical energy

3. Byproducts are Hydrogen gas and Water

A. New technology = expensiveB. Hydrogen gas is not easily

obtained

WritingImagine what would happen to the

world if people don’t start to develop and use alternative energy sources.

Describe what the world will look like (the environment, any change to species, how people may feel or act) in at least One Full Paragraph