Enviromental Science

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Biomass Energy

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Refers to organic matter that has stored energy through the process of photosynthesis. It exists in one form as plants and may be transferred through the food chain to animals' bodies and their wastes, all of which can be converted for everyday human use through processes such as combustion, which releases the carbon dioxide stored in the plant material.

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Crude Oil

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Crude oil is a naturally occurring, unrefined petroleum product composed of hydrocarbon deposits and other organic materials.

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Coal

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A natural dark brown to black graphitelike material used as a fuel, formed from fossilized plants and consisting of amorphous carbon with various organic and some inorganic compounds.

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Electricity

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Behaviour of electrons and protons that is caused by the attraction of particles with opposite charges and the repulsion of particles with the same charge.

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Hydroelectricity

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Generating electricity by conversion of the energy of running water.

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Geothermal Power

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The geothermal energy of the Earth's surface originates from the original formation of the planet and from Radioactive Decay of materials.

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Hydrogen Power

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Hydrogen fuel is a zero-emission fuel when burned with oxygen or used in a contained cell also capable of 'reversing' the reaction if needed

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Fusion

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Fusion of a substance takes place at a definite temperature, the melting point, and is accompanied by the absorption of latent heat of fusion.

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Fission

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An atom contains protons and neutrons in its central nucleus. In fission, the nucleus splits, either through radioactive decay or because it has been bombarded by other subatomic particles known as neutrinos.

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Fossil Fuel

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Fossil fuels which contain carbon and include coal, oil and natural gas are drilled or mined before being burned to produce electricity

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Natural Gas

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Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, but commonly including varying amounts of other higher alkanes, and sometimes a small percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and/or hydrogen sulphide.

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Non-renewable resources

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Existing in finite quantity; not capable of being replenished.

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Renewable Resources

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A natural resource that replaces itself unless overused, e.g. animal or plant life or fresh water.

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Petroleum

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A liquid mixture of hydrocarbons which is present in suitable rock strata and can be extracted and refined to produce fuels including petrol, paraffin, and diesel oil; oil.

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Photovoltaic Cell

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A photoelectric cell that detects and measures light intensity using the potential difference that arises between unlike materials when they are exposed to electromagnetic radiation

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Solar Power

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Power obtained by harnessing the energy of the sun's rays.

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Tidal Power

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An exceptionally large ocean wave, especially one caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption.

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Uranium

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Uranium occurs in most rocks in concentrations of 2 to 4 parts per million and is as common in the Earth's crust as tin, tungsten and molybdenum. Uranium occurs in seawater, and can be recovered from the oceans.

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Wave Power

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Wave power is the transport of energy by ocean surface waves, and the capture of that energy to do useful work – for example, electricity generation, water desalination, or the pumping of water (into reservoirs).

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Wind Power

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Air flow through wind turbines or sails can produce significant mechanical power.

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Wood

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Wood is a porous and fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants.