This is an assignmnet based off biology, Quizzes of Biology

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Crude oil is pumped out of the ground, refined, and turned into gasoline, fuel oil, and other oil products.

What are the major nonrenewable sources of energy? Nonrenewable energy resources exist in limited quantities and, once used, cannot be replaced except over the course of millions of years. Nonrenewable Energy Resources Nonrenewable energy resources include oil, natural gas, coal, and uranium.

What are the major renewable sources of energy? Renewable energy resources are resources that can be replaced in a relatively short period of time. Renewable Energy Resources Renewable energy resources include hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, wind, biomass, and, possibly in the future, nuclear fusion.

Most renewable energy resources originate either directly or indirectly from the sun.

• (^) The sun and Earth are constantly releasing large amounts of energy.
• (^) This energy could be used for generating electric power, heating buildings, or other purposes. Renewable Energy Resources

Most modern hydroelectric plants rely on dams built across rivers. The major advantages of hydroelectric energy include its low cost to produce and lack of pollution. Dams, however, cause a variety of environmental problems. Renewable Energy Resources

Hoover Dam was built across the Colorado River on the Arizona-Nevada border. This 221-meter-tall structure can generate over 2 million kilowatts of power. Renewable Energy Resources

• (^) Sunlight can also be converted directly into electrical energy by means of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells.
• (^) A few large solar electric plants use mirrors that concentrate sunlight to produce electricity.
• (^) The benefits of solar energy depend on the climate. Renewable Energy Resources

Geothermal Energy

• (^) Geothermal energy is thermal energy beneath Earth’s surface.
• (^) In some regions, especially near volcanoes, geothermal energy is used to generate electricity.
• (^) Geothermal energy is nonpolluting but is not widely available. Renewable Energy Resources

Other Renewable Resources The chemical energy stored in living things is called biomass energy. Biomass can be converted directly into thermal energy or converted into a high-energy alcohol fuel. A hydrogen fuel cell generates electricity by reacting hydrogen with oxygen. Hydrogen fuel cells can be used to convert energy from renewable resources. Renewable Energy Resources

A form of hydrogen is also the most likely raw material for another future source of energy, nuclear fusion. The process of fusion will probably produce little pollution or radioactive waste. Scientists have been working on sustained fusion for years, but many challenges remain. Renewable Energy Resources

1. Using Tables What was the world’s largest source of energy in 1991? In 2000? Answer: World Energy Use

1. Using Tables What was the world’s largest source of energy in 1991? In 2000? Answer: Petroleum in both years. World Energy Use

2. Analyzing Data In general, how did usage change from 1991 to 2000? Answer: Each type of energy use increased between 1991 and 2000. World Energy Use

3. Graphing Make a circle graph of world energy use by source for the year 2000. World Energy Use