| Term | Definition |
| Energy | The ability of a system to do work. Energy is
required for changes to happen within a system. |
| Energy Resource | A source or supply of energy that can be used
to generate electrical power to meet
people’s needs. |
| Renewable | An energy resource such as trees or wind
that is replaceable by natural means. |
| Nonrenewable | An energy resource that takes millions of years
to form from the remains of plants and animals.
Examples include coal, oil, and natural gas. |
| Fossil Fuel | A natural nonrenewable fuel such as coal, oil, or natural
gas formed over a very long time in the geological past
from the remains of living organisms. |
| Coal | A hard, black solid fuel formed from the remains
of plants over millions of years and extracted
from the ground; a nonrenewable fossil fuel. |
| Petroleum (Oil) | A flammable, yellow-to-black liquid composed of
hydrocarbons occurring naturally beneath Earth's
surface; it is a nonrenewable fossil fuel processed to
make gasoline used in vehicles. |
| Natural Gas | A gas, usually found in the ground positioned
above petroleum deposits, that is burned to
obtain energy; a nonrenewable fossil fuel. |
| Nuclear Power | Energy harnessed from the decay of uranium atoms |
| Biomass | Material derived from living things |
| Wind Energy | Turbines harness the movement of air and convert it to
usable energy; wind energy is a renewable resource. |
| Hydropower | A renewable source of energy based
on the natural movement of water |
| Geothermal Energy | Heat transferred from beneath the surface of
Earth and used to produce energy for human use |
| Solar Resources | The Sun’s energy is collected and
converted to usable energy;
solar energy is a renewable resource. |
| Pollution | The presence of harmful or unwanted levels of
material in the environment |
| Landfill | Disposal site for solid waste |
| Greenhouse Gases | Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat
within the atmosphere |
