| A | B |
|---|
| renewable resource | resource that can quickly and easily be replaced or replenished |
| nonrenewable resource | resource that cannot be replaced or replenished |
| fossil fuel | a nonrenewable resource made from the remains of living organisms |
| nuclear energy | a nonrenewable resource capturing energy of the atom of uranium fuel |
| solar energy | using the sun as an energy source |
| photovoltaic cell | a solar panel that converts sunlight directly into electricity |
| wind energy | the fastest growing renewable energy source in the U.S.; uses large wind turbines to create electricity |
| hydroelectric energy | uses the kinetic energy of water to create electricity |
| geothermal energy | uses heat from deep inside the Earth to create electricity |
| biomass | energy derived from living organisms, like trees and plants, as well as recycling garbage and waste materials |
| ethanol | a biomass fuel created from renewable plants |
| turbine | a device required to convert kinetic energy into mechanical energy |
| generator | a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy |
| energy transformation | the process of changing one form of energy into another form of energy |
| nuclear fission | splitting uranium atoms to create heat; also creates radioactive waste |
| nuclear fusion | joining atoms together in order to create energy |
| coal, oil and natural gas | types of fossil fuel |
| marcellus shale | type of mineral deposit containing high amounts of hydrocarbons |
| hydrocarbon | the compound found in fossil fuels that provide them with their energy |
