Discuss the use of nuclear energy to produce electricity. Examine how electricity is produced using a turbine. Outline the fission reaction of uranium 235 into uranium 236, the instability of U-236 and the release of 3 million times more energy than an equal amount of coal. View a diagram of how a nuclear reactor works, and discuss the use of control rods to prevent overheating and meltdown.
Discuss nuclear fuel use for electric production. Examine how electricity is produced by a turbine which is turned by steam power. Introduce the science of nuclear fission. Show how a uranium 235 atom is bombarded by a neutron, becomes unstable, and fissions into a barium atom and a krypton atom, with the release of 3 billion times more heat energy than an equal amount of coal.
Discuss in detail the advantages and disadvantages of coal, oil, and methane, all of which are used as fuels. Examine the different methods of extraction of each, the costs involved, and the risks. Analyze storage and shipping, along with possible hazards occurring. Include oil spills, gas leaks and coal ash pits. Discuss alternative fuels to fossil fuels and examine their advantages and disadvantages to the ecosystem
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels. Include in the examination coal, oil, and methane. Describe the types of coal, methods of mining, and toxic byproducts such as carbon dioxide, lead, mercury, and arsenic. Introduce petroleum, how it is formed, and the advantages of petroleum use over coal. Describe natural gas formation, storage and shipment, as well as cost advamtages of the differerent fossil fuels
Discuss coal as a fuel, its abundance and "dirtiness." Elicit advantages to coal use and disadvantages. Examine the 3 different types of coal, and how they differ. Discuss how ash from coal is stored in ash pits, which mix with water and the ash becomes toxix to the environment
Outline how energy efficiency is determined using the efficiency of the process to obtain the energy source and the efficiency of the process to convert that source to usable energy. Determine that some energy is lost during each conversion.
Introduce the EROEI formula. Present some problems using the formula to solve. Discuss the meaning of the numbers obtained from different fuel sources. Discuss how a very efficient fuel usage may not be as efficient for some purposes, usually based on energy needed to produce the fuel. Use examples to illustrate the conversion.
Examine how different energy forms are suited for specific use. Discuss how energy efficiency refers to both the efficiency of the process to obtain and the process that converts. Introduce the EROEI formula which determines the energy returns on each invested. Complete s sample problem. Complete finding the right energy source for a job, examine why a high efficiency energy use may not be as high due to high energy use to obtain the fuel.
Discuss how changes in energy demand reflect the level of industrialization. Examine the use of nuclear reaction plants to generate electricity. Examine and discuss the pros and cons and myths associated with nuclear generation.
Discuss patterns of energy use. Outline non renewable sources as fossil fuels and nuclear fuel. Discuss the pro's and con's of each category, include coal, oil, methane, wood and peat in the discussion. View charts of worldwide patterns of energy use. Show the chart of energy consumption in the US compared to worldwide.
Examine how different energy forms are suited for specific use.
View charts and graphs, discuss and analyze fossil fuel production and use both worldwide and within the USA. List and discuss problems with fossil fuel use. Elicit reasons for the greater use of energy in developed countries vs. developing countries, Examine world wide patterns of energy use
