Dr Asha Anand - Energy resources

Summary

In this session, Asha Anand from Christ University’s Department of Life Sciences discusses non-renewable energy resources, explaining their types, examples, and pros and cons. The session covers fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as nuclear energy, highlighting their formation, uses, and environmental impact. While these energy sources are abundant and high in energy density, they contribute to pollution, climate change, and health risks. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of mindful use due to the finite nature of non-renewable resources.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Energy is defined as the capacity of a system to perform work.
• 🌿 Energy resources are natural resources of power that can be converted into usable forms like electricity and heat.
• ♻️ Energy resources are classified into nonrenewable and renewable based on their origin and availability.
• 🚫 Non-renewable energy resources are finite and cannot be replenished quickly, including fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
• 🌋 Coal, a combustible sedimentary rock, is used for heat and electricity generation and is a type of fossil fuel.
• 🛢️ Oil, or petroleum, is a liquid fossil fuel used for transportation, heating, and electricity, and as a raw material for chemicals.
• 💨 Natural gas, primarily methane, is used for heat, electricity, and as vehicle fuel, and is another type of fossil fuel.
• ⚛️ Nuclear energy is non-renewable and involves processes like nuclear fission and fusion to release energy.
• 🌐 Nuclear fission uses elements like uranium and plutonium, while fusion involves combining lighter nuclei like deuterium and tritium.
• 🌳 Non-renewable resources are advantageous due to their high energy density, making them easy to store and transport.
• 🚫 The disadvantages include the release of toxic compounds causing pollution, contributing to climate change, and adverse health effects.

Q & A

What is the definition of energy according to the script?

Energy is defined as the capacity of a system to perform work.

How are energy resources classified based on their origin and availability?

Energy resources are classified as nonrenewable energy resources and renewable energy resources based on their origin and availability.

What is the difference between non-renewable and renewable energy resources?

Non-renewable energy resources are finite and cannot be generated within a short period of time, while renewable energy resources are replenishable.

Why are non-renewable energy resources also called conventional energy resources?

Non-renewable energy resources are called conventional because they are traditional sources of energy and have been widely used for many years.

What are the main categories of fossil fuels mentioned in the script?

The main categories of fossil fuels mentioned are coal, oil or petroleum, and natural gas.

What is the primary chemical composition of coal?

The primary chemical composition of coal is carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and some amount of sulfur.

How is oil, or petroleum, formed according to the script?

Oil, or petroleum, is formed from dead planktons buried under layers of sand at the bottom of the sea.

What is the main component of natural gas?

The main component of natural gas is methane.

What are the two categories of nuclear energy mentioned in the script?

The two categories of nuclear energy mentioned are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.

What are the advantages of non-renewable energy resources as discussed in the script?

The advantages of non-renewable energy resources are that they are easily accessible and extractable, and they have high energy density, making them easy to store and transport.

What are the disadvantages of using non-renewable energy resources according to the script?

The disadvantages include the release of highly toxic compounds or gases, contributing to environmental pollution, climate change, and harmful health impacts such as respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems.