Module 4: Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Sources
Section outline
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Image: Nuclear Regulatory Commission via Flickr, Public Domain
Living organisms need energy to perform life-sustaining “work” to survive. For nearly all living systems on Earth, the sun is the ultimate source of that energy. Over time, we humans have developed an understanding of energy that has allowed us to harness it for uses well beyond basic survival. The development and evolution of human society are largely attributed to our relationship with energy. The first major advancement in human understanding of energy was the mastery of fire for cooking and heating. Modern civilization is especially dependent on energy and some of its most distinct characteristics such as population growth, environmental impact, and climate change are all a consequence of energy use. We use energy to heat and light our homes; power our machinery; fuel our vehicles; produce plastics, pharmaceuticals, and synthetic fibers; and provide the comforts and conveniences to which we have grown accustomed in the industrial age. Societal complexity, affluence, and the gap between poor and rich people are all directly related to our level of energy consumption.
Module Goals and Objectives
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Define energy and explain its properties.
- List specific examples of non-renewable energy sources.
- Describe the types of non-renewable sources utilized for energy extraction and how these sources are formed.
- Describe arguments for non-renewable energy.
- List specific examples of renewable energy sources.
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy sources (i.e., solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal)
- Describe arguments for renewable energy.
- Explain innovative practices of energy implementation in the digital age.
These outcomes address course objectives #1, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11.
To achieve these objectives:
- Read the Module 4 Introduction
- Read Chapter 4 in Pressbooks.
- Complete any activities, discussions, or assessments included in this module.
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Students mustMark as done
Please review the textbook chapter on Renewable and Non-renewable Resources. Please read the entire chapter and complete the included h5p activities.
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