Introduction

Module Objective:

To increase energy awareness in students by exploring the physical concepts of energy as well as topics about the different types of energy resources currently available, including fossil fuels, renewables, and nuclear power.

Key Concepts:

At the end of this module the student will be able to:

• Define energy in several different ways.
• Distinguish between different types of energy.
• Use appropriate units to quantify energy.
• Approximate the amount of energy in different materials.
• Discuss the origin and properties of coal, oil, and natural gas.
• Explain why different types of fossil fuels are appropriate for different uses.
• Discuss world and US energy usage--past and projected.
• Discuss the environmental problems associated with the use of each fossil fuel.
• Give a reasonable estimate of how long each fossil fuel will last.
• Discuss unconventional methods of fossil fuel use.
• Discuss different types of renewable energy sources including solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and gasohol.
• Describe the concept of a solar pond.
• Explain the different types of radioactive decay.
• Describe 3 different types of nuclear reactors.

Prerequisites:

The student should have a working knowledge of the following concepts:

• Kinetic and potential energy
• The basic form of chemical equations
• The periodic table, including the definitions of atomic mass, atomic number, protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Placement in Curriculum:

This module can be used in chemistry with organic topics, physics with energy topics, or in interdisciplinary courses such as tech-prep.

The information in the Scientific Principles section may be reproduced in its entirety or in part and distributed to students. Some teachers may prefer to give students only the summary of Scientific Principles, instead of the entire section.