Energy Sources WebQuest

http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=2

List the 4 forms of nonrenewable energy. (Hint: they are written in blue!)

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

Oil

• Now, click  http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=oil_home-basics

1. How is oil formed? 
2. What does the word “petroleum” mean? 
3. Describe crude oil and where it is found.
4. What are the five top crude-oil producing countries? 
5. What percentage of oil is brought in from outside countries to supply United States demand for oil? 
6. List 6 products that crude oil is used to produce that is used in everyday life in the U.S. 
7. What is the leading cause of sources of petroleum in North American Waters? 

Natural Gas

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1. How is natural gas formed? 
2. Describe the physical properties of natural gas. 
3. List 6 uses of natural gas in the everyday lives of people in the U.S. 
4. Compared to other energy resources, is natural gas considered to be positive or negative for the environment? 

Coal

• Now, click  http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=coal_home-basics

1. Describe the physical properties of coal. 
2. How does coal form? 
3. What are the two methods of mining used to get coal out of the ground? 
4. Write one sentence summarizing the paragraph, “Transporting Coal.” 
5. What country has the largest known coal reserves in the world?
6. How many states is coal mined in?
7. List 6 uses of coal in the everyday world.
8. Name one negative effect of mining coal on the environment. 

Uranium (Nuclear Energy)

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8. What is nuclear energy? 
9. What percentage of nuclear electricity is generated in the U.S.? 
10. How many nuclear power plants are in the U.S. today? 
11. What do nuclear power plants generate? 

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12. What are the 5 forms of renewable energy resources? 

Solar

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13. What is solar energy? 
14. Solar energy is converted into what energy? 
15. Give two examples of how solar energy is used. 
16. What do solar cells do? 
17. What do solar power plants do?
18. What are the 2 main disadvantages to solar energy? 
19. Explain how solar energy is beneficial for the environment. 

Wind

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20. What is wind and how is it caused? 
21. What did American colonists use windmills for?
22. What do wind machines produce? 
23. Describe a wind power plant. 
24. Describe the negative effects of wind machines.

Geothermal

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25. What does the word “geothermal” mean? 
26. What is geothermal energy? 
27. Geothermal energy is generated in the ____________________________.
28. Where is geothermal energy found? 
29. Name 2 ways people have used direct geothermal energy? 
30. Describe how has Iceland used geothermal energy? 

Biomass

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31. What does Biomass mean and what does it contain? 
32. Name 5 things that are biomass materials. 
33. What is the most common biomass material? 
34. 84% of wood energy is used where? 
35. How can biomass energy be negative to the environment?

Hydro

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36. Hydroelectric power generates what type of energy?
37. What 3 states hold over one-half of the total U.S. hydroelectric capacity for electricity is _________________, _________________, and _________________.
38. Most dams in the United States were not built to provide electricity, but for _____________________ and ________________________.

Energy Use

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44. List the 4 areas in which energy is used?

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45. List the 5 ways in which energy is used in our homes. 
46. What is the most used type of energy in the home? 

Conserving Energy

• Now, click on http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=about_energy_efficiency-basics

47. How much energy does the United States use? 
48. The average American consumes __________________________ more energy than the world average.
49. Identify 5 different ways in which we can conserve energy. 
50. What do the 3 R’s stand for? 

• If you finish early, feel free to go back to home page of the Energy Kids Page and click on Fun & Games.