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35 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
energy
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The capacity to perform work
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heat
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Thermal energy which results in an increase in temperature
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kinetic energy
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Energy associated with an objects speed or motion
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potential energy
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Energy associated with an objects position, stored energy and objects capacity to perform work
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mechanical energy
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The conversion of stored energy into energy that involves movement.
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chemical energy
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A form of stored energy that is due to the relative position of atoms and electrons
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combustion
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The process where potential chemical energy in the form of a carbon based fuel is ignited & converted into heat & light.
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endothermic reaction
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A reaction that takes in heat (temperature decreases)
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exothermic reaction
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A reaction that releases heat (temperature increases)
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joule
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The basic unit of energy
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power
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The amount of energy available or used over a given time (measured in watts)
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First Law of Thermodynamics - Law of Conservation of Energy
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Energy is neither created nor destroyed, it is changed from one form to another
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Second Law of Thermodynamics - law of Increasing Entropy
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As energy transforms it degrades and it able to do less work
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Efficiency of energy conversions
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The ratio of energy input into a system to the useful energy output
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Renewable Energy
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Sources of energy that are able to last indefinitely because they are replenished by natural processes relatively quickly
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Non-renewable Energy
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Sources of energy that exist only in limited deposits and are being converted by humans faster than they can form naturally
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Fossil Fuels
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Formed from dead and decaying organisms trapped in sediment layers – oil, coal & natural gas
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Biomass
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Energy derived from material produced by living things
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Natural Greenhouse Effect
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Where gases of the atmosphere serve to keep the earth’s average temp. at 15C
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Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
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Human induced activity releasing greenhouse gases causing increased heating of earth’s surface
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Photosynthesis
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A process where plants capture sunlight energy and converts it to complex carbohydrates in the presence of carbon dioxide. Oxygen is produced as a by-product
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Respiration
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A process where plants & animals convert complex carbohydrates to useable energy in the presence of oxygen. Carbon dioxide is produced as a by-product
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Nuclear energy
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Where uranium is used as an energy source in reactors to produce heat.
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Fusion
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A process where two atoms are forced together to create energy.
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Troposphere
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Lowest level of the atmsosphere. It is the section of the atmosphere where the greenhouse effect takes place.
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Stratosphere
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Layer above troposphere where ultra-violet radiation is absorbed
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Conduction
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The transfer of heat energy by contact between two surfaces
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Convection
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The circular movement of gas or liquid as a result of heating. The gas or liquid is heated, expands, becomes less dense and rises whereupon it cools, contracts and sinks
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Energy Absorption
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Where energy is taken in by particles and an increase in heat usually occurs
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Energy Re-emission or Re-radiation
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Where energy is re-released from particles usually at a longer wavelenth
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Radiation
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Where energy is sent out from a source
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Dissapation
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Where energy is ‘lost’ to surroundings
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Carbon dioxide geo-sequestration
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Where atmospheric CO2 is gathered, cooled and stored in the ground
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carbon sinks
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Where carbon dioxide is taken up and stored in plant material
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Kyoto Protocol
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An international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8% from 2002 levels by 2020.
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