9781422274552

Sources of Energy

R enewable and nonrenewable are the two types of sources through which usable forms of energy are produced. Nonrenewable sources are those that cannot be replenished in a short period. Renewable sources are those that can be reproduced through natural processes.

Fossil Fuels Natural gas, coal, and crude oil are fossil fuels, which are the most popularly used nonrenewable energy sources. These were formed more than 300 million years ago by the heat and pressure from the earth’s core on the fossils (remains) of dead plants and animals.

Uranium (Nuclear Energy) The element uranium is also a nonrenewable source of energy. Its atoms are split through a process called nuclear fission to produce energy. The production of energy from uranium is a cleaner pro- cess as compared to the production of energy by fossil fuels. How- ever, it is an expensive process.

CLIMATE CHANGE: Problems and Progress

10