energy sources and types 8 th grade physical science

ENERGY SOURCES AND TYPES

8TH GRADE PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Fossil Fuels

Renewable or Nonrenewable?

Definition Characteristics/Facts

Examples

Nonrenewable

Remains of ancient

animals and plants

preserved underground

Burning fossil fuels produces

greenhouse gases

1. Coal (solid)

2. Oil (liquid)

3. Natural gas

Natural Gas

Renewable or Nonrenewable?

Definition Characteristics/Facts

Examples

Nonrenewable

Fossil fuel gas (mostly

methane) trapped

underground in rocks

Pipes sunk into ground to

release gas

1. Used for cooking

and heating

2. Burn gas for heat

Coal

Renewable or Nonrenewable?

Definition Characteristics/Facts

Examples

Nonrenewable

Solid Fossil fuel mined from rock

layers

Form from dead plants and

animals that settle at the bottom of

swamps millions of years ago

Burn coal to produce steam to

make electricit

y

Uranium

Renewable or Nonrenewable?

Definition Characteristics/Facts

Examples

Nonrenewable

Nuclear energy stored in the nucleus

of an atom

Uranium-235 is used in nuclear power plantsAtoms split

during fission and give off heat

1. Three Mile

Island

Biomass

Renewable or Nonrenewable?

Definition Characteristics/Facts

Examples

Renewable

Stored chemical energy in organic

matter or wastes

-when burned produces

thermal energy-releases air

pollution

1. Wood2. Used to

make ethanol

Water

Renewable or Nonrenewable?

Definition Characteristics/Facts

Examples

Renewable

Mechanical energy of

flowing water turns turbine to generate electricity

Does not release air pollution or carbon dioxide

1. Dams2. Water

mills

Geothermal

Renewable or Nonrenewable?

Definition Characteristics/Facts

Examples

Renewable

Heat energy from below

Earth’s surface

Used to heat homes or generate electricity

1. Water heater

2. Can produce steam to

make electricit

y

Wind

Renewable or Nonrenewable?

Definition Characteristics/Facts

Examples

Renewable

Moving air caused by unequal

heating of atmosphere

-Change Kinetic Energy into

electrical energy-only some areas get enough wind

1. Windmill

Solar

Renewable or Nonrenewable

?

Definition Characteristics/Facts

Examples

Renewable

Electromagnetic energy that

travels through space in

electrical and magnetic waves

Not practical in

cloudy areas

1. Solar powered cars

2. Solar panels on house

3. Calculators!

Kinetic

Definition Characteristics/Facts Examples

Energy of MotionKE= ½ mv2

Velocity and mass affect KE

1. Rolling ball2. Rotating fan3. Moving car

Potential

Definition Characteristics/Facts Examples

Stored Energy2 main types:

1.Gravitational PE2.Elastic PE

1. Airplane in the sky

2. Rubber band

Mechanical

Definition Characteristics/Facts Examples

Amount of Potential and

Kinetic Energy in an object

TOTAL ME= constantME= KE + PE

1. Projectiles2. Roller coasters

Thermal

Definition Characteristics/Facts Examples

Total potential and kinetic energy of

particles

Kinetic energy increases as particles

move FASTER

1. Boiling water2. Lava

3. Ice cream melting

Electrical

Definition Characteristics/Facts Examples

Energy of electric charges

-Can flow or be stored-Easily converted

1. Lightning2. Electricity

Chemical

Definition Characteristics/Facts Examples

Energy stored in chemical bonds

(potential energy)

Energy released when bonds break

1. Food 2. Fuel

Nuclear

Definition Characteristics/Facts Examples

Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom (potential

energy)

Released during nuclear reactions

1. Sun2. Uranium

Electromagnetic

Definition Characteristics/Facts Examples

Energy of light or radiation Travels in waves

1. Light 2. Sound

3. Microwaves

Elastic Potential

Definition Characteristics/Facts Examples

Stored energy of objects stretched

or compressed

Further you stretch, more energy you have!

1. Rubber band2. Bow and

arrow

Gravitational Potential Energy

Definition Characteristics/Facts Examples

Stored energy related to an

object’s heightGPE= weight x height

1. Flower pot on windowsill

2. Roller coaster at top of hill