4th Class Science Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This lesson -will help you to:

• learn and study about the renewable and non-renewable sources of energy.
• understand the advantages of reusing and recycling.
• learn about the concept of conservation of energy.
• study about global warming and factors behind it.

Real Life Examples

• Nowadays we can see that people are installing solar panels on their terrace that convert the solar energy into the electrical energy.
• Solar cells and solar batteries are also used a lot nowadays.
• Since past many years, stress is being given on planting more and more trees. This activity is also promoted in schools. Growing trees is a step towards the green revolution wherein we are working towards minimizing the effects of global warming and greenhouse effect.

QUICK CONCEPT REVIEW

Energy: Energy means the ability to cause change. This change could be in moving a certain object or some change in the environment. Energy is the vital form powering our society, industry and eventually our day to day life. There are various sources of energy but broadly energy sources can be classified as renewable and non-renewable sources.

RENEWABLE SOURCES

• Those sources of energy that can be replenished after short period of time are called renewable sources.

Example: Solar energy, hydro (water) power, wind, biomass etc.

• There are many advantages associated with renewable energy.
• Solar energy is free and renewable and as long as the sun shines, you have a source of energy.
• Like solar energy, wind energy offers you a clean, alternative and renewable source of energy. Electricity can be generated using the wind energy.
• Hydroelectricity harnesses the power of downstream water flow to generate electricity.
• Geothermal energy is generated from the heat extracted from the earth and is transferred for use in your home. Geothermol is sustainable and renewable and offers a very cost-effective way to heat your home.                              

Many forms of renewable energy produce no solid waste, reducing pollution production.      

The goal in using renewable energy sources is to reduce the negative environmental effects associated with non-1 renewable energy sources such as coal and natural gas. Opting to use a renewable energy source is cost- effective? And also helps protect the environment from the risks of fossil fuel emissions of non-renewable energy sources.

Historical Preview

In the beginning, the sun was the only source of energy. People would gather food during the day, and when the sun went down at night, they would search for shelter from the cold. Eventually someone discovered fire and then the use of wood as a source of energy started. As more and more wood was used, we began to experience rapid deforestation, especially from the 15^th to the 18^th By the middle of the 18^th century, much of the world was experiencing an energy crisis due to lack of timer. As a result, coal became the major source of fuel. Coal was a plentiful source of energy, and led the change into this new era that we call the Industrial Revolution. Consequently, other sources like petroleum and natural gas also took over as major energy producers.

NON-RENEWABLE SOURCES

• These are those energy sources that cannot be replenished in a short period of time.
• Example: Petroleum, Coal, Natural 6as etc.
• Non-renewable resources ore energy sources that we use and consume faster than nature produces them.
• Fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, take centuries to form naturally, and crude oil takes millions of years to form.
• There are few non renewable energy sources that are used most often. Also called fossil fuels. This means that they were formed from the remains of plants and animals long ago. These fossil fuels can be in a solid, liquid, or gas form.

1. Oil and Petroleum
2. Natural Gas
3. Coal

Amazing Facts

To run a 100-watt light bulb 24 hours a day for a year we need to use about 325 kg of coal in coal powered plant.

The total fossil fuel used in the year 1997 is the result of 422 years of all plant matter that grew on the entire surface and in all the oceans of the ancient earth.

Global temperatures have risen by over in the last 300 years!

Oil and Petroleum

• Oil and petroleum products include:
• Diesel
• Gasoline
• Propane
• These substances were once small marine plants and animals. Over a long period of time these plants and animals were covered with sand and silt. The heat and pressure from the added layers created crude oil.
• Oil is found in reservoirs, spaces in the earth between rocks. Once the oil is taken out of the ground, it is gone forever. The earth does not replenish the oil.

Natural Gas

• Natural gas was formed much like oil, from small plants and animals.
• Instead of being formed into a liquid like oil, it is formed into bubbles of natural gas. These gas bubbles were trapped beneath the rocks in pockets.
• The natural gas can be pumped out from the ground and into pipelines.

Coal

• Coal is the solid form of the three fossil fuels.
• It was created in the same way as the other two fossil fuels but became a solid mass.
• Coal must be mined to be removed from the earth.
• Once the coal is out of the ground, it is transported to plants to be cleaned and made ready for use.

NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POLLUTION

When fossil fuels burn, they release several harmful gases into the earth's atmosphere. The combination of these gases forms smog (smoke + fog). This smog, which is clearly visible over large cities, can lead to many health problems such as;

• Lung irritation.
• Irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
• Problem in respiratory system and heart conditions.
• Shortness of breath,
• Permanent lung damage over time.

Misconcept/Concept

Misconcept: Renewable energy source are always cheaper than non-renewable energy source.

Concept: The initial cost of using renewable energy sources are typically higher than when using non-renewable energy sources.

Misconcept: Renewable energy source will replace non-renewable energy sources now and in future.

Concept: Renewable energy source won’t completely replace non-renewable energy source in the near future. While the global use of energy sources such as the sun and wind are increasing steadily, the technology hasn’t caught up with the demand.

What we can do to reduce the use and need for non- renewable resources?                          

• Turning off the lights when leaving a room.
• Adding solar panels to homes as an energy source,
• Recycling-Simply separating out recyclables like paper, cardboard, plastic and glass not only keeps these products out of landfills, but also means that non-renewable energy isn't used to produce more of these products.                                
• Driving less and participating in carpooling for work and school - the less fuel you use the less pollution you release into the atmosphere.
• Opting for reusable cloth grocery bags as opposed to disposable paper or plastic bags.
• Using Compact Florescent Light bulbs (CFL) in their homes - CFL bulbs use upto 75% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs.   

GLOBAL WARMING

• Global warming is when the earth heats up (the temperature rises). It happens when greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane etc.) trap heat and light from the sun in the earth's atmosphere, which increases the temperature of the earth. This hurts many people, animals, and plants. Many cannot take the change, so they die.
• The major cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels.