Chapter 10 Protecting Earth s Resources

1. Chapter 10Protecting Earth�s Resources SSS: Recognizes the costs and risks to society and the environment posed by the use of nonrenewable energy. Knows that the limited supply of usable energy sources places great significance on the development of renewable energy resources. Knows that reusing, recycling, and reducing the use of natural resources improve and protect the quality of life. Understands that people, alone or in groups, invent new tools to solve problems and do work that affects aspects of life outside of science.

2. What are nonrenewable energy resources?

3. Types of resources A resource is a supply of energy or a material that people use. Renewable resources can be replaced. Example: Trees Nonrenewable resources cannot be replaced as fast as they are used up or cannot be replaced at all. Example: coal, petroleum (oil), natural gas

4. Types of Resources Fossil fuels are resources that are formed from the remains of ancient organisms. Examples: Coal�formed from plants that decay and are pressed into peat and then coal. Oil, or petroleum, forms from sea organisms. Natural gas

5. Oil and Natural Gas Oil and natural gas are found below Earth�s surface. Drills are used to reach them. What we use them for: Electricity Gasoline Asphalt, plastic, grease, wax

6. Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages of fossil fuels. Coal and oil are easy to move and store. It is easier to get energy from them. Disadvantages of fossil fuels. Coal and oil supplies are limited. Burning coal and oil causes air pollution. Oil can spill when ships leak. This can harm the plants and animals near the spill.

7. What are other energy resources?

8. Solar Energy Solar energy is energy from sunlight. Solar energy is renewable. It will last as long as the sun shines. Advantages: It will last for billions of years. It will not run out. It does not cause air pollution. Disadvantages: It can�t be used at night or on cloudy days.

9. Wind Energy Wind is a renewable resource. Windmills were used to pump water and grind grain. Modern windmills are called turbines. They spin generators to make electricity. Advantages: Wind energy does not cause air pollution. Disadvantages: Wind does not blow all the time. Turbines only work when the wind is blowing. Some people think that turbines are ugly and noisy. Birds can be killed by the blades.

10. Water Energy Flowing water has been used as an energy source for hundreds of years. Water today is used to make electricity. Hydroelectric plants are built in dams. Advantages: Water energy causes no pollution and makes no waste. It is a renewable resource. Disadvantages: Hydroelectric plants must be built near moving water. Building a dam creates lakes that can flood plant and animal habitats. Fish can�t swim past a dam.

11. Nuclear Energy Nuclear power plants use uranium, a rare metal, to produce electricity. Advantages: Nuclear power plants need only a small amount of fuel. They produce no air pollution. Disadvantages: Nuclear power plants are very expensive. They make dangerous waste. Uranium is a nonrenewable resource.

12. Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy uses the heat inside Earth to generate electricity. Advantages: It can make energy any time; it doesn�t rely on sunlight or wind. It pollutes much less than fossil fuels. Disadvantages: It can only be used where there are hot rocks or hot water close to the Earth�s surface. Geothermal steam may contain pollutants.

13. Biomass Energy Biomass is material that was recently alive. This includes: animal waste, wood, grasses, or food waste. Biomass can be burned in power plants to produce electricity or it can be used as a fuel for cars and trucks. Advantages: It is a renewable resource. People will always make garbage. It reduces the amount of garbage that goes into landfills. Disadvantages: It causes air pollution.

14. What are other resources?

15. Mineral Resources Minerals are nonliving materials in Earth. Common minerals include iron and salt. Rare minerals include gold, silver, and diamonds. Uses of minerals: Gold in used in electronics and jewelry. Iron is mixed with other materials to make steel.

16. Mineral Resources Minerals are nonrenewable resources. Some minerals, such as iron, are more common. Some minerals, such as copper, lead, and zinc are less common. Because minerals are nonrenewable, people should use them wisely.

17. Mineral Resources Minerals are taken out of the Earth by mining. Some mines are on the surface. Others are deep underground. Mining can damage the environment by digging up trees and plants. It can leave pits that cause mudslides and erosion. Mining can cause air and water pollution.

18. Water, Soil, and Air Water, soil, and air are partly renewable. Water is recycled through the water cycle. Over time, rain can wash pollution out of air. Soil is constantly forming from weathered rocks. These resources take a long time to renew so we need to use them carefully.

19. Water, Soil, and Air Air is an important resource. We need oxygen to breathe. The nitrogen in air is used to make plant fertilizer. Air pollution can cause health problems to plants and animals. Air can become polluted by natural events like volcanoes and forest fires or human events like gases from factories. Rain can reduce air pollution.

20. Water, Soil, and Air Water Water is used for many things: bathing, cooking, cleaning. Water can polluted and overused. People pollute water by dumping waste in it. Air pollution can get into rain and form dangerous chemicals that can harm living things and buildings.

21. Water, Soil, and Air Soil Gives plants minerals to grow and animals eat the plants. Soil may be polluted with chemicals. Growing too many crops can damage the soil. It is better to limit the number of crops grown on soil or give the field a chance to recover.

22. Can resources by conserved?

23. Repairing Soil, Water, and Air Machines have caused air, soil, and water pollution. Pollution levels must be watched.

24. Conservation Laws Conservation laws help protect natural resources. Some laws make factories and power plants control their pollution. Industries are supposed to clean up any land they pollute. Some laws also set aside land as natural areas for protection.

25. Using Less and Reusing Resources We can help the environment by using fewer resources. We can use furnaces and air conditioners less. We can turn off lights that are not needed. Burning less fuel makes less air pollution. Large companies can use less material to make things. Reusing things is an easy way to save resources. You can reuse bottles or other containers. You can use items in other ways instead of throwing them away. Example: turn old tires into tire swings.

26. Recycling Recycling is another way to save resources. Recycling means treating materials so they can be used again. Paper is often recycled. Plastic can be recycled. Recycling saves natural resources and energy.