Chapter 14 “Renewable Energy Sources”
Self-Guided Instruction
This week’s text reading
Read chapter 14 “Renewable Energy” from textbook.
Read “Renewable Energy” pages 170 - 175 from the Princeton Review book.
Questions, Problems, and Assessments
- Answer review questions 1-10 at the end of chapter 14 from the textbook.
- How many different sources of renewable energy are available?
- How efficient is renewable energy sources compared to nuclear and fossil fuel sources?
- What technologies and efforts have been made to increase our energy efficiency?
Assessments
Vocabulary Quiz Tuesday
Lab work to be done on Wednesday and due the following Monday.
Energy presentations due Tuesday.
Chapter 12 – 14 Test, Monday.
Ch.14 Vocabulary
Become familiar with the definition and process involved with each word below:
Gasohol
E-85
Biodiesel
Hydroelectric power
Fish ladder
Passive collection
Active collection
Photovoltaic cells
Nacelle
Turbine
Wind farm
Geothermal energy
Hydrogen cell
Tidal power
CAFÉ standards
Cogeneration
Research Presentation
Research - List as many renewable sources of energy as you can, then share with the class. Pick one of these energy sources to research and give a short 3 minute presentation on its operation, advantages, and disadvantages. Be sure to include how efficient it is and how it has changed throughout the years.
Case Study #1
Watch –
Assignment-Write a summary evaluating the new system versus the old style of these power generators. What are the pros and cons of each? Conduct additional research to supplement your summary.
PostPresentations Video-
Which type of power sources are the most efficient?
Case Study #2
Research- conduct an investigation on the power usage of the Jr/Sr High School building. Use the ‘Kill-o-Watt’ device to determine the energy consumption of devices and appliances being used around our school.
Assignment – Evaluate our school’s energy efficiency ratio and give a report of areas that are energy efficient and those that need improvement. Give a final report listing at least one researched, realistic and calculated solution to help our school move forward with improving its energy efficiency.
Environmental Labs
Hydrolysis lab: This week, you will separate water into it’s two elemental components: Oxygen and Hydrogen gas. This lab will require you to bring in one 9 volt battery. The rest will be provided. Lab is on Wednesday.
Figure 1 Overview of Hydrolysis
Figure 2 - Example setup
Materials needed: 9 volt battery, 400 mL beaker, ring stand, two test tube clamps, two test tubes, 2 alligator clips (red and black), two wires, 400 mL of water, 9v battery clip.
How can separating water into hydrogen and oxygen be useful?
Evaluate the energy input and output efficiency ratio of this process?
Could this be the solution to our global energy needs? Explain.
Summary Video – Did you learn…?