Env/100 Waste And Energy Research Paper

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Waste and Energy Sandra Jenkins, William Matos, Tony Brown, Steve Olberding ENV/100 May 26, 2014 Jennifer Ott Waste and Energy Plastics and pesticides are both a type of waste. The former is considered a solid waste and the latter is a categorized as hazardous waste. Where do these wastes come from and what kind of effect do they have on the environment either when they are used or disposed of? Oil and natural gas are fossil fuels that emit their own waste once used. The effects of their use on the environment can be far reaching and detrimental to health of humans, animals, and other organisms that inhabit the earth. Eventually, these fossil fuels will run out. Finding alternative ways to produce power is an endeavor that is…show more content…
The nuclear reaction of the sun travels outward and by the time it reaches the surface it is transformed into light energy (sunlight). When this energy reaches the Earth, it is in the form of heat and light. The heat from the sun is collected by one type of solar panel that is used to heat water for the home or to keep your house warm in the winter months. The light energy from the sun can be transformed into electrical energy to be stored or used immediately. The panel that converts light energy into electrical energy is called a Photovoltaic panel. Light energy is not only used industrially and privately, but some of our vehicles run on part solar electric or entirely on solar electric. The light energy is collected through a panel on the vehicle, which is transferred to electrical energy that hits the motor; the motor then converts the electrical energy into mechanical energy, which turns the drive shaft that turns the wheels (kinetic energy). Not all energy transfer is perfect, there will always be a loss of energy in any system. The loss of energy will come from the electrons passing through any wires, released as heat energy. In a vehicle, power is lost through heat or sound by the spinning of the driveshaft and the wheels on the ground. According to Delucchi and Jacobson (2013) "In a world powered entirely by wind, water, and sunshine, energy could be delivered as reliable as it is today, but at a lower cost than in a…show more content…
The way the wind blow depends on the ground surface, bodies of water, and the vegetation. Wind turbines used to generate electricity can harvest the wind. They convert kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy. The turbine spins like a propeller on a plane when the wind blows, turning the blade that spins a shaft connected to a generator that makes electricity. The mechanical power is converted into electricity to power homes and businesses. Wind plants produce electricity that emits zero pollutants. The environmental concern from the wind power plants is minimal; the problems that arise are the noise created from the rotator blades and the killing of birds by flying into the blades. With some technological advances, that issue was drastically reduced. Another major challenge is that the wind does not blow all the time, therefore, the turbines do not spin and no power is created during these
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