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33 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Powers cars and machinery using oil
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Internal combustion engine
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In order to get high-quality energy you must use high-quality energy
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First Law of Thermodynamics
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Some high quality energy is always degraded in each step of its use |
Second Law of Thermodynamics
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The total amount of high quality energy available after the energy needed to make it available is subtracted
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Net energy
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The energy ratio that shows net energy loss
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Ratio <1
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The energy ratio that shows net energy gain
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Ratio >1
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Energy with low or negative net energy yields are still used over other energy alternatives because of
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Government subsidies
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The point at which pressure in a well begins to drop and production begins to decline
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Peak production
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Most energy in the US comes from
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Coal
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Ample supplies in many countries, high net energy yield, low cost
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Advantages of using coal
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Severe land disturbance, water pollution, fine particle & toxic mercury emissions, emits large amounts of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants when burned
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Disadvantages of using coal
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Made of bitumen, water, clay, and sand
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Oil sand
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Ample supply for several decades, high net energy yield, low land disruption, and efficient distribution system
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Advantages of using conventional oil
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Water pollution from spills and leaks, releases carbon dioxide and other air pollutants when burned, and is vulnerable to international supply interruptions
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Disadvantages of using conventional oil
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Pesticides, paints, plastics, synthetic fibers, cleaning fluids and medicines
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Bi-products of oil distillation
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The primary gas in natural gas
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Methane
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Ample supplies, high net energy yield, and emits less carbon dioxide and other air pollutants than other fossil fuels.
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Advantages of using conventional natural gas
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Low net energy yield as a liquid, releases carbon dioxide and other air pollutants when burned, difficult and costly to transport
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Disadvantages of using conventional natural gas
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Found in tundra permafrost
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Methane hydrate gas
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Produced from the gasification of coal; has higher carbon dioxide emissions than coal, but lower sulfur emissions
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Synfuels
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Emits 1/6 as much carbon dioxide as coal, Low environmental impact, low risk of accidents in modern facilities
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Advantages of nuclear fission
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Very low net energy yield, produces long-lived radioactive wastes, promotes the spread of nuclear weapons
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Disadvantages of nuclear fission
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No risk of nuclear accidents, no radioactive materials produced, could be used to destroy toxic wastes, could produce electricity to produce hydrogen fuel
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Advantages of nuclear fusion
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Too expensive; uses more energy than is produced, still in laboratory stage
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Disadvantages of nuclear fusion
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Most used form of coal; high heat content; high sulfur content
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Bituminous coal
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Low heat and sulfur content; limited supplies in most areas
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Lignite
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Partially decayed plant and animal matter in swamps and bogs
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Peat
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Highly desirable fuel; supplies are limited; high heat content and low sulfur content
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Anthracite
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The fastest, cheapest, and most environmentally beneficial source of energy
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Cutting energy waste
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A combustable organic material that is a component of tar sand/oil sand
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Bitumen
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Fuel for a nuclear reactor, which is mined from the Earth's crust
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Uranium-235
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The most serious nuclear accident in the Soviet Union
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Chernobyl
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The most serious nuclear accident in the US
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Three Mile Island
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