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ENERGY VAMPIRES
Energy is all around us and we rely on it every day to perform our common tasks. Most of the household appliances that we use each day are powered by electrical energy. The main source for this electricity comes from burning coal. Today 52% all electricity in the United States is generated by coal. Although there are economic justifications for using coal, it can also cause two major problems. First, coal combustion produces carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are suspected to cause global warming. Second, coal burning is a source of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, which are harmful to human health and may be largely responsible for acid rain. Both of these factors can negatively impact other natural resources like those found in the Chesapeake Bay.
ObjectiveWhen you have completed this investigation, you should be able to analyze the use of energy resources in order to explain how the human population affects the availability of these resources.
Day 1: Identifying the Problem
Materials (per student): Crackers, 4 Graph paper
Activity 1: How Well Do We Manage Our Resources?
Each day the human population uses a variety of equipment to make our lives more convenient. Most of these appliances require the use of nonrenewable energy resources such as coal, oil, or natural gas. However, we may not necessarily realize how easily we mismanage these resources.
1.Obtain two crackersfrom your teacher.
2.Eat the crackers as quickly as you can using your teacher’s signal.
3.When you have finished eating your crackers, raise your hand. You must be sure to completely chew and swallow your cracker before raising your hand. Use caution, this is not a race.
4.Complete Chart 1, “Time Needed to Eat Two Crackers” as directed by your teacher.
Chart 1: Unregulated Time Needed to Eat Two Crackers
Time (seconds) / Number of Students10
20
30
40
50
60
5.Obtain a two more crackers from your teacher.
6.You may only take a bite from the cracker when told to do so by your teacher.
7.Raise your hand when you have completely eaten the cracker.
8.Complete Chart 2, “Regulated Time to Eat Two Crackers.”
Chart 2: Regulated Time Needed to Eat Two Crackers
Time (seconds) / Number of Students10
20
30
40
50
60
9.Compare the consumption of the unregulated to the regulated cracker consumption. In which situation did the crackers last the longest? Why?
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10.In this investigation, the crackers represent the amount of energy resources we have world wide. Explain how regulating energy consumption can help to conserve our supply of coal, oil, and natural gas. Use information from the investigation and prior knowledge to support your response.
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Activity 2: Are You An Energy Vampire?
Currently, in the United States, there are no regulations on the amount of energy that is consumed by each household or business. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t begin to conserve these resources on our own. Many households are guilty of being what is known as “energy vampires.” Energy vampires are appliances that drain electricity even when they are not being used. Many of the appliances that we rely on each day fall into this category.
11.Review the list of common household appliances.
Radio or stereo / Computer / Microwave / StoveHair dryer / Dishwasher / Washing machine / Clothes dryer
Lighting / Video game system / Water heater / Can opener
Toaster / Coffee maker / Refrigerator / Garage door opener
Freezer / Alarm clock / Home Entertainment System (TV/VCR/DVD) / Cell phone
12.Circle as many of the appliances listed that you and/or your family members use everyday.
13.Identify and list the appliance(s) above you think would be considered as energy vampires (appliances that continuously drain and use energy). Justify why you chose each appliance.
Appliance Energy Vampires
Appliance / Justification1-WORST
2
3
4
5
6
7-BEST
14.View the demonstration provided by your teacher.
15.Determine which appliances you and your family use that consume a large amount of energy on a daily basis. What could you and your family do to help reduce the amount of energy consumed by your household each year?
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16.Study the graph, “U.S. And World Coal Combustion” in Figure 1 below.
17.Identify and state a pattern that exists in the usage of coal over the past 50 years. Provide data to support your response.
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18.Study the photograph, “The Earth at Night” as displayed by your teacher.
Class Discussion: What does the photograph indicate about the world human population and the use of electricity world-wide?
19.Refer back to the graph in Figure 1. State a possible reason as to why the use of coal world-wide is expected to dramatically increase over the next 40 years. Use prior knowledge and evidence from this investigation to support your response.
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20.Explain why it is necessary for humans to conserve electricity. Use evidence from the investigation and prior knowledge to support your response.
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Day 2: Developing Alternative Solutions
Activity 3: Alternative Energy Sources Jigsaw
16.Each member of your research group will investigate different types of energy resources from the list below. Your job is to become an expert on one type of energy resource and then teach the other members of your group about the alternative energy resource.
- Biomass Energy
- Geothermal Energy
- Hydropower
- Wind Power
- Solar Energy
18.Discuss with your group, which energy source each member will research.
19.Review Chart 3, “Types of Alternative Energy.”
20.Move to your expert group as directed by your teacher.
21.Follow the “Expert Group Instructions” to complete your portion of chart 3.
22.Move to your home group as directed by your teacher.
23.Follow the “Home Group Instructions” to complete the remainder of chart 3.
Analysis
1.Describe why it is important for us to continue to research and develop alternative energy sources. Use evidence from the investigation to support your response.
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HW Due on ______Name:______
HW Due on ______Name:______
Chart 3: Types of Alternative Energy
Alternative Energy Source / Description of Energy Source / Pros of Energy Source / Cons of Energy SourceBiomass Energy
Geothermal Energy
Hydropower
Wind Power
Solar Energy