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Energy Sources

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Energy Sources
Connie Collins
Strayer University

Prof. Alisha Etheredge
SCI110
July 18, 2012

There are many ways energy can be converted from one form of energy into another form of energy. Three of the ways are through action of forces, which is where gravity accelerates a falling object that converts potential energy to kinetic energy. Gravitational forces, electric and magnetic force fields, and frictional forces are some examples. A pendulum is a great example of potential and kinetic energy working at the same time. When the pendulum swings upward all the energy is considered potential energy, when it begins its downward swing it gains kinetic energy and loses potential energy (The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2008). Another way would be atoms being absorbed or emit photons of light. Examples of this are photothermal, photoelectric, and photochemical. The last way is Nuclear reaction with examples of fission and fusion (Debian Gnu/Linux, 1999-2011). Technology devices are considered energy converters. They convert electrical or chemical energy into radiant or mechanical energy. For example a light bulb uses electrical energy and converts it into light while the rest is converted into heat. Light and heat are forms of radiant energy. Washing machines convert mechanical energy and ovens convert thermal energy. Our bodies also convert energy into our muscles by converting chemical energy into glucose which in turn converts into mechanical energy to make muscle movements. Photosynthesis is a form of natural energy that can be converted from radiant energy to chemical energy.
Fossil Fuels are formed from a natural process of decomposed remains of living organisms that have been buried for millions of years. Coal, petroleum, and natural gases are considered fossil fuels. Coal is a very popular and readily available fuel source, but petroleum and natural gases are in limited supply. Ancient plants and stagnant swamps buried in oil bearing rocks are converted into peat and then with the help of high temperatures and pressure coal is formed. Coal is used mainly to produce electricity. Another fuel is made from bacteria, high temperatures, and time. It is called Petroleum and it is used mainly for gasoline in our vehicles that we drive around in. Fossil fuels are a very attractive source of energy because they are readily available and you only need to dig or drill to get them. Fossil fuels are highly profitable now than they were in the past. We use more in this day and age than we did in the past and we have gotten comfortable and depend on them more and more. The higher the demand and the more available the source the cheaper it will be. Fossil fuels are available to use twenty four hours a day, seven days a week whenever they are needed. None of the renewable resources are sufficiently developed or abundant enough to substitute fossil fuels yet. Our usage of fossil fuels are polluting and killing our earth. We must turn to alternative fuels and energy like hydroelectric, solar power, geothermal energies, and other renewable resources before we run out of non-renewable resources. (The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2008)
Other sources like renewable resources are not available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. They are only available when that source is available. Examples of some renewable resources are solar power energy, wind energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, hydroelectric energy, waste energy, hydrogen energy, nuclear energy, and biomass energy. A couple of other renewable resources are moving water which produces energy and heat. Also there is nuclear energy that is made up of uranium and plutonium atoms and under goes fission and releases large amounts of heat and makes steam then that makes electricity.
There are many advantages and disadvantages to fossil fuels and renewable resources. Advantages of fossil fuels would be that it can produce huge amount of electricity in a single location, easy to find, cost effective, abundant supply, efficient, and can be easily transported through the use of pipes. The advantages of renewable energy would be that there is an unlimited supply you will never run out, lower maintenance and upkeep, lower cost to operate, little or no waste, and very little impact on the environment. The disadvantages of fossil fuels are that they cause major pollution, coal causes acid rain, mining coal destroys areas of land, mining endangers human lives, and threats of possible oil spills. The disadvantages of renewable energy would be that it is difficult to generate large amounts of electricity that is currently needed, it relies on the weather conditions for power, hydo needs rain to fill dams for flowing water. Wind turbines need wind to turn the blades. Solar collectors need clear skies and sunshine to collect enough heat to make electricity. This energy is unpredictable, inconsistent, and expensive because it is new technology and has large capital costs. (Brown Paper Bag, 2012)
Eventually our world will turn to only renewable energy sources either by our own free-will or we will be forced to once all the nonrenewable sources have run out. We need to start cutting back on our energy consumption now before it is too late. We must save our sources if we are going to save the human race.

References

Alan Davison. (2012). Alternative Energy. Retrieved from Alternative Energy Solutions for the 21st Century: http://www.altenergy.org/
Debian Gnu/Linux, A. (1999-2011). NM Solar Energy Association. Retrieved from New Mexico Solar Engergy Association: http://www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/Primer/how_is_energy_converted.htm
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (2008). Energy. In Integrated Science. McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions.

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