AP Environmental Science Unit 6 Study Guide Part 2
This deck covers the pros and cons of various energy sources, including nuclear, biofuels, wind, geothermal, solar, and hydropower, as well as concepts like energy conservation, passive solar design, and smart grids.
Pros of Nuclear
- Emits no CO2 once plant is operating - Offers independence from fossil fuels - Ample supply - High energy density - Mostly used to create electricity
Key Terms
Pros of Nuclear
- Emits no CO2 once plant is operating - Offers independence from fossil fuels - Ample supply - High energy density - Mostly used to create electri...
Cons of Nuclear
- Possible target for terrorist attacks - A meltdown could be catastrophic - Plants are expensive to build due to legal challenges
Conservation vs efficiency
Energy efficiency means investing in things that run using less energy, such as energy star products. Energy conservation means using less electric...
What is biomass
Biomass is decaying plant and animal tissue that has accumulated. An example of biomass would be a build-up of dead trees.
Passive solar design
Using solar power without having to work for it, such as south-facing windows for winter heat, double-paned windows, adobe walls, roof-overhangs, a...
Thermal mass
The property of a building material to retain heat or cold. Adobe and concrete have a high thermal mass, while wood and glass have a lower thermal ...
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Pros of Nuclear | - Emits no CO2 once plant is operating - Offers independence from fossil fuels - Ample supply - High energy density - Mostly used to create electricity |
Cons of Nuclear | - Possible target for terrorist attacks - A meltdown could be catastrophic - Plants are expensive to build due to legal challenges |
Conservation vs efficiency | Energy efficiency means investing in things that run using less energy, such as energy star products. Energy conservation means using less electricity by simply not using it, like washing dishes by hand instead of using a dishwasher. |
What is biomass | Biomass is decaying plant and animal tissue that has accumulated. An example of biomass would be a build-up of dead trees. |
Passive solar design | Using solar power without having to work for it, such as south-facing windows for winter heat, double-paned windows, adobe walls, roof-overhangs, and insulation to maintain temperature. |
Thermal mass | The property of a building material to retain heat or cold. Adobe and concrete have a high thermal mass, while wood and glass have a lower thermal mass. |
How does a hydrogen fuel cell work | A fuel cell converts hydrogen to electricity using an electric-chemical device, similar to a battery, where hydrogen is continuously added. |
Pros of biofuels | - Renewable resource - Burns cleaner than any fossil fuels |
Cons of biofuels | - Hard to create tech that will produce the fuel - Relatively low EROEI |
What are biofuels made of most often | Corn, corn by-products, sugarcane, woodchips, crop waste, and switchgrass. |
Difference between burning biofuels and fossil fuels | Burning biofuels releases carbon recently absorbed by plants, making it carbon-neutral in theory, while burning fossil fuels releases carbon stored for millions of years, increasing greenhouse gases. |
Smart grid | An efficient self-regulating electricity distribution network that accepts any source of electricity and distributes it automatically to end users. |
Pros of battery powered cars | Zero emissions at the tailpipe, lower running costs, quieter operation, less maintenance, reduced reliance on fossil fuels. |
Cons of battery powered cars | Limited driving range, long charging times, high upfront cost, battery degradation over time, environmental impact of battery production and disposal. |
Metric conversions | 1 kilocalorie=1000 calories 1 calorie=4.184 Joules 1 Btu=1055 Joules 1 kWh=3,600,000 joules=3.6 mega joules 1 hp=746 watts |
Pros and region of Wind | - No pollution - Economically viable - Uses a nondepletable resource - Great plains/flat regions - Any windy place - Used for electricity primarily |
Cons of Wind | - Intermittent power only when wind is blowing - Eye sore - Disrupts migration of birds and bats |
Geothermal pros and region | - No pollution - Nondepletable resource - No cost after installment - Found in hotspots like Hawaii and the West Coast |
Cons of geothermal | - Emits hazardous gases and steam - Not an option in all locations |
Pros and region of Solar | - Nondepletable resource - No cost after initial investment - Found in the US Southwest and other sunny places |
Cons of solar | - Manufacturing requires a lot of metal and water - No plan to dispose of solar panels - Can't be used at night or in cloudy places - High initial cost - Storage batteries require off-system grid |
Pros and region of Hydropower | - Nondepletable resource - Low cost to run - Flood control - Recreation - Found in high places where water has more force, tidal regions, and rivers and lakes |
Cons of hydropower | - Limited amounts can be built in a certain area - High construction cost - Threat to river ecosystem - Loss of habitat, agricultural floodplains - People are displaced - Siltation |