A)
Many renewable energy sources take advantage of natural processes on Earth.
What are two renewable energy sources that take advantage of the mass movement of molecules?
Suppose you watch a documentary that claims that the sun is the source of solar energy, wind energy, and biomass energy. Do you agree with the documentary? ExPlain your reasoning
Part C
Explain (1) what physical process allows geothermal energy to keep a house warm and (2) whether geothermal energy could be considered a form of solar energy.
(2 points)
A)
Two renewable energy sources that take advantage of the mass movement of molecules are wind energy and hydroelectric energy. Wind energy is generated by the movement of air molecules, which turns wind turbines to create electricity. Hydroelectric energy is generated by the movement of water molecules, typically through the flow of rivers or waves, which also turns turbines to produce electricity.
As for the documentary claiming that the sun is the source of solar energy, wind energy, and biomass energy, it is partially true. The sun is indeed the ultimate source of energy for all three of these renewable sources. Solar energy is directly derived from sunlight, wind energy is created by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun, and biomass energy is produced through photosynthesis, which is driven by sunlight. So, while the sun is not the direct source for wind and biomass energy, it does play a crucial role in enabling these processes.
C)
Geothermal energy keeps a house warm through the physical process of heat exchange. The Earth's core produces heat through the radioactive decay of minerals, which warms up underground water reservoirs. Geothermal systems extract this heat from the ground through a network of pipes filled with water or a refrigerant fluid. This heat is then transferred to the building through a heat pump, providing warmth during colder months.
Geothermal energy can be considered a form of solar energy indirectly. While the heat from geothermal energy is not directly produced by the sun like solar panels, it is a result of the sun's influence on the Earth's processes. The sun's energy drives the movement of tectonic plates and the radioactive decay of minerals, ultimately leading to the production of geothermal energy. So, in a broader sense, geothermal energy can be seen as a form of solar energy.