TECHNOLOGY

BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
3rd YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

UNIT 3.3. ENERGY GENERATION AND OUR ENVIRONMENT

3rd YEAR. Group B.
Date:________________
Name and surname:___________________________________________

1. ENERGY DEFINITION AND UNITS. POWER AND UNITS

Energy is the ability to do work. The amount of energy something has indicates the
amount of work it can do. The unit of energy is the Joule.
One Joule is the work completed when a force of 1 Newton acts over a distance of 1
metre in the direction of the force: 1J = 1N x m
We can also use the Kilowatt per hour, KW-h, especially when talking about electrical
energy as you know.
Power is defined as the rate at which work is done by unit of time.
So, Power = Energy/time
and Energy= Power x time
Unit of power: Watt. This unit is called the Watt (W) in honour of the English scientist
James Watt.
1J = 1 Watt (unit of Power) x 1 second (unit of Time)
Then, P = 1J / 1s= 1 Watt
Activity 0
*What Unit of Energy do we find on our electric bill? It is the _____________
*Complete the sentence:
The KW-h is the amount of
power of

consumed when we use something with a

for 1 hour.

Related to energy link. Read and study the main ideas:

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TECHNOLOGY
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
3rd YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

http://tiki.oneworld.org/energy/energy1.html
2. ENERGY FORMS AND TRANSFORMATIONS
http://www.petervaldivia.com/energy/
KINETIC ENERGY: All moving objects have energy due to their motion. This is called
kinetic energy.

POTENTIAL ENERGY: Generally speaking, potential energy is the energy a body has due
to its position in a force field. We are going to relate it to gravity. In the picture shown
on the right, a cyclist with Kinetic energy is moving up the hill and transforming the
energy into Potential energy.
ELASTIC ENERGY: is stored in a stretched elastic band or spring, for example.
CHEMICAL ENERGY: The energy given out (or sometimes taken in) in the form of heat,
light or kinetic energy during a chemical reaction is called chemical energy. For
example, when something is burned, some of the chemical energy stored in it is changed
into heat and light energy. We can say it is potential because it can be stored.
NUCLEAR ENERGY: The energy given out from the nuclei of certain atoms during
nuclear reactions (fission or fusion for example) is called nuclear energy. This energy is
used practically in the nuclear reactor. It can also be considered potential. As it is stored
in the nuclei, it can be considered potential.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY: When an electric current flows in a metal wire subatomic
particles called electrons move in the wire. As they move, they lose energy, which is
called electric potential energy. This potential energy is manifested as heat and other
forms of energy in the wire.
ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY: This is the energy transmitted from one point to another
in the form of electromagnetic waves that travel at the speed of light. An example of
an electromagnetic energy producer is a microwave. Remember that the light is an
electromagnetic energy.
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TECHNOLOGY
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
3rd YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

INTERNAL ENERGY or HEAT ENERGY: The molecules of every substance, whether solid,
liquid or gas are in perpetual motion. If heat is supplied to a substance, the motion (the
vibration) of its molecules increases as its temperature rises. The kinetic energy of the
molecules therefore increases. Thus heat is a form of energy.
SOUND ENERGY: Any source of sound always emits from a vibrating object. As sound
travels through a substance, the vibration from the source is passed on from molecule to
molecule in that substance. Each molecule acquires energy in kinetic and potential form
as the sound wave passes.
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
Energy cannot be created or destroyed but can only be transferred from one body to
another or changed from one form to another. In every chemical or physical
reaction, there is no net gain nor loss of energy; any loss is always accompanied by
an equal gain.
3. PRIMARY ENERGY SOURCES (RENEWABLE AND NON- RENEWABLE)
Sources of energy are classified as renewable or non-renewable.
*Energy is said to be renewable if the source of the energy is still there after energy is
taken from it or if it regenerates easily, and energy is considered non-renewable if the
source of the energy is gone after energy is taken from it.
Examples of renewable energy sources are wind, solar, hydraulic, tidal, wave and
biomass.
*Non-renewable energy sources are usually easier to get energy from and store, but
have a bigger environmental impact because of the pollution and toxic materials they
generate and they are being wasted and are beginning to run out.
Non-renewable sources include fossil fuels: oil, coal and natural gas. Nuclear energy
in radioactive minerals is also non-renewable.
*Renewable energy sources will not run out. A problem with renewable energy sources
is generating enough reliable energy to meet all our demand. A lot of research is being
done to find practical ways of using these altemative sources of energy for the future.
Alternative Energy is a term used to describe sources of energy that occur naturally in
the environment, and usually it is refered to renewable energy sources. Although some
people include nuclear energy in the alternative energies group, it is not one of them,
because of its negative impact on the environment.
Activity 1
Write shorts sentences describing the forms of alternative energy shown on the
slide presentation
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TECHNOLOGY
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
3rd YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/engex.htm
4. THE PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY.
We need electrical energy to run all our appliances at home. We know that energy is
everywhere around us, but how can we get it? There are several ways to transform
energy into electrical energy. Energy or power plants have all these components to
produce energy. There we can find different energy stations.
HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATIONS (Dams)
WIND FARMS (Wind power stations)
SOLAR CELLS (Photovoltaic panels)
THERMAL SOLAR POWER STATIONS
ENERGY FROM THE SEA (Tidal or Wave)
BIOMASS (Bio-Fuels) AND S.U.W. (SOLID URBAN WASTE)
GEOTHERMAL
FOSSIL FUELED THERMAL POWER STATIONS (Conventional Thermal power stations)
NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS...

ACTIVITY 2. Label these pictures with the right name

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TECHNOLOGY
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
3rd YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

TECHNOLOGY
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
3rd YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

Lets read some information about these four types of energy sources:
WEBSITE:
http://www.petervaldivia.com/energy/

Hydroelectric energy plant

Wind turbines or wind generators

Solar power
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TECHNOLOGY
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
3rd YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

Nuclear energy

ELECTRIC POWER PLANTS. WEBSITE:

Video: Gemasolar Fuentes de Andaluca
http://www.torresolenergy.com/TORRESOL/planta-gemasolar/es
Solar Power
WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY?
ACTIVITY 3. Complete the paragraph on solar energy by filling in the missing words.
Solar ______ is energy from the ____ and without its presence all ____ on earth would
end.
Solar energy has been looked upon as a serious source of energy for many years because
of the _____ amounts of energy that are made ______ available, if harnessed by
modern ____________.
A simple example of the power of the sun can be seen by using a __________ glass to
______ the sun's rays on a piece of paper. Before long the paper will start to _______.
Vast
Technology
Sun
Power
Focus

Freely
Life
Burn
Magnifying

TECHNOLOGY
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
3rd YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/solar1.htm
ACTIVITY 4. Think of some advantages and disadvantages of solar power. Explain
them to the class.
Now copy at least three advantages and disadvantages from the list that you can
find at:
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/solar7.htm
Wind Power
ACTIVITY 5. Write some wind-powered devices used throughout history by different
cultures. Explain their uses.
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/wind1.htm
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/wind2.htm
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/wind3.htm

ACTIVITY 6. When were wind generators created? How have they changed along the
course of history?
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/wind4.htm
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/wind5.htm

TECHNOLOGY
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
3rd YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

ACTIVITY 7. BURNING FOSSIL FUEL = ENVIROMENTAL PROBLEMS

WHATS THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM ABOUT BURNING FOSSIL FUELS OR OTHER
MATERIALS?
What you dont see so easily is the effects of burning all these fossil fuels!
You can't see carbon dioxide and most of you dont live near huge power station
chimneys belching smoke, but no one can escape the noise and stink made by cars,
trucks, boats, ships and aeroplanes. Did you know that there are over 500,000,000 cars
and trucks in the world, all belching fumes? Then theres the planes, ships and factories,
all gushing smoke and poisonous gases into the air we all breathe.
Pollute the environment
What happens to this pollution?
It is bad for the environment
What is it?
Contamination
Why does it affect the climate?
Pollution always affects the climate and makes it a warmer climate
ACTIVITY 8.
A conversation with Tom Zambrano, a Renewable Energy Scientist:
http://climatekids.nasa.gov/career-wind-energy/
Roleplay: One of you will play Tom and other will play the Climate Kid, then you will sum
up some of the information we are given by Tom Zambrano.
He work on wind energy and ocean energy projects, especially wind energy.
We place wind mills, or wind turbines, as we call them, in windy places. The
wind energy turns the blades of the wind turbines, which use that motion to
generate electricity. A grid system of wires transports the electricity to homes,
factories, stores, offices-wherever it is needed.
That's the term we use for big groups of wind turbines. First, we have to be
meteorologists and find good, windy locations. Then we have to think about
how the land should be used. We can't just plop a wind farm down in the
middle of a town or a national park, for example.
Carbon footprint
ACTIVITY 9. What is the carbon footprint?
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities,
usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

http://www.technologystudent.com/enerflsh/foot1.html
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TECHNOLOGY
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
3rd YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

Calculate your carbon fooortprint

http://footprint.wwf.org.uk
-->150
ACTIVITY 10. How do we all add to our carbon footprint? List all the ways you
contribute towards your carbon footprint during a normal day on a chronological
record sheet.
http://www.technologystudent.com/enerflsh/foot2.html
1-Gets out of bed at 7.30am
2-Turns on the radio
3-Has a wash
4-Eats a breakfast
4-...
Energy saving devices
ACTIVITY 11. What is a wind-up charger?
http://www.technologystudent.com/enerflsh/ensave1.html
A range of energy saving devices now exist such as torches and radios that do not require
batteries to be changed.
ACTIVITY 12. And what is a solar charger?
http://www.technologystudent.com/enerflsh/ensave2.html
ACTIVITY 13. What is a hydrogen car?
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/hydron1.htm
Environmentally transport of the future
ACTIVITY 14. Write some suggestions to make a house environmentally friendly
(exterior-interior):
Environmentally friendly house
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/house1.htm
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/house2.htm
MORE ACTIVITIES, ETC...
Lesson materials activities
You can find more activities to review the Unit
Eg. http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/less3.htm
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/less1.htm
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/less2.htm
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/less4.htm

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TECHNOLOGY
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
3rd YEAR SECONDARY EDUCATION

Let's play Power up:

http://climatekids.nasa.gov/power-up/
Sea/Tidal Power
http://climatekids.nasa.gov/tidal-energy/
A conversation with a home energy auditor
http://climatekids.nasa.gov/career-auditor/

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