Describe the operation of alternative energy fuels?

Question

Please help !

Describe the operation of alternative fuel such as;

wind

tidal

solar

geothermal

hydroelectric

Must be able to describe the function and energy changes that take place.

HELP PLEASE

must be real dont need all of them but some or all if you can :) lol !! THANK YOU SO MUCH !! x

Answer 1

ok wind power are those prepelers that were set up that generate power by spinning.....b/c of the wind then they change that work into usable power

solar is from the sun it changes suns sunshine into power

Answer 2

Wind- the torbines turn from the wind, and creates the electricity.

Tital- No idea

Solar- sort of like those solar powered calculators

hydroelectric- sort of like a dam, the water spins the torbines to create electricity.

Answer 3

i am all for nuclear .

Answer 4

None of these are alternative energy FUELS.  Fuel implies 'burning' whether by combustion or nuclear fission.

That said, here they are in a nutshell.

Wind:  the sun heats the atmosphere unevenly, giving various particles kinetic energy.  We call this wind.  That kinetic energy is harnessed through collisions with the blades of a wind turbine, causing a rotational movement (still kinetic energy, but a changed direction).  That rotational movement is resisted by wires wound around a magnet (a motor) which coverts the kinetic into electric energy.

Tidal- the moon revolves around the earth (kinetic energy)  Its gravity attracts the water on the earth, moving it (kinetic energy)  as it moves through particular narrow places, it may speed up, and this is harnessed in the same way as wind.

Solar power:

Two methods:

1.  Solar Thermal: Electromagnetic energy from the sun (light) is absorbed by a liquid as kinetic energy (its particles start to move faster)  We call this heat.  When this kinetic energy is high enough, the liquid is boiled.  The kinetic energy of the particles of vapor is harnessed in the same way as wind and tidal.

2.  Photovoltaic:  Electromagnetic energy from the sun passes through the material of the solar panel, knocking loose electrons which flow in an electrical current.

Geothermal-  When the Earth accreted from interstellar dust, the collisions and the massive gravitational forces created a lot of heat, and this heat is sustained by the radioactive decay of lots of elements in the earth's structure.  This heat (essentially the particles of the earth vibrating with kinetic energy), when in contact with water, imparts its energy to it.  In some cases it boils.  The kinetic energy of the steam is harnesses in the same way as wind, to tidal power.

Hydroelectric:  Electromagnetic energy from the sun (light) is absorbed by the ocean as kinetic energy (its particles start to move faster). We call this heat.  When this kinetic energy is high enough, the liquid is boiled and the particles of water escape into the air.  Eventually they cool back to a liquid and fall to earth with lots of kinetic energy.  Some fall on land and run into reservoirs which hold the water above some dam or turbine (potential energy).  When the water is let through the dam, this potential energy is converted back into kinetic energy, which as it flows through a turbine, is transferred in the same way as wind power.

It should be important to note that in all cases, the earth is radiating plenty of infrared energy, which is why the sun does not heat us up hotter and hotter.  (Of course rising levels of CO2 and other gases are inhibiting some of the Earth's ability to shed the heat- thus global warming)

Answer 5

This space is too limited for such a large question.  Here are two good places to look at many ways to use Renewable Energy.