Need Help?

Get in touch with us

searchclose
bannerAd

Different Energy Sources and Their Classification

Grade 4
Aug 3, 2023
link

Introduction:

A source of energy is that which can provide enough useful energy at a steady rate over a long period.

Sources of energy are classified as:

Explanation:

Renewable Sources of Energy:

Renewable sources of energy are those that are inexhaustible, i.e., which can be replaced as we use them and can be used to produce energy again and again.

Renewable sources of energy

 Fig-1: Renewable sources of energy

Advantages of Renewable Sources of Energy:

  1. These sources will last forever.
  2. These sources are freely available in nature.
  3. These sources do not cause any pollution.

Non-renewable Sources of Energy:

Non-renewable sources of energy are those that are exhaustible and cannot be replaced once they have been used.

parallel
Non-renewable sources of energy

Fig-2: Non-renewable sources of energy

Disadvantages of Non-renewable Sources of Energy:

  1. Due to their extensive use, these sources are quickly depleting.
  2. It is difficult to discover and exploit new deposits of these sources.
  3. These sources are a major cause of environmental pollution.

Characteristics of a Good Source of Energy:

  1. Safe and convenient to use 
  2. Easy to transport
  3. Easy to store
  4. Easily accessible
  5. Economical
  6. Able to produce a large amount of energy

A few sources of energy are:

The Sun:

The Sun is the ultimate main source of energy. The energy that we get from the Sun is known as solar energy. Solar energy is used to generate electricity through the use of solar panels.

Flowing Water:

Water stored in dams at height is the source of potential energy; when the gates of the dams are opened, the water starts to flow down; thus, the potential energy of the stored water changes to kinetic energy, which is used in hydropower plants to rotate the turbine to generate electricity.

Waves:

Wave energy is also known as ocean energy. It is a natural source of energy. Wave energy is a form of renewable energy that can be harnessed from the motion of the waves. Ocean waves are used to rotate the turbines in the ocean to generate electricity.

parallel

Fossil Fuels:

A non-renewable source of energy is fossil fuels. The elements that are naturally generated in the Earth’s crust from the remains of dead plants and animals and used as fuel are known as fossil fuels. Coal, petrol, diesel, and natural gas are the basic fossil fuels. Fossil fuels can be used to produce electricity, power engines in cars, or supply heat for direct consumption (like for cooking or heating).

Wind:

Wind energy is the kinetic energy of air in motion. It is a natural source of energy. A clean, cost-free, and easily accessible renewable energy source is the wind. Wind turbines harness the energy of the wind and convert it into electricity every day.

Biomass:

The energy created or generated by living or formerly living creatures is known as biomass energy. Plants, like soy and corn, are the most common biomass sources utilized for energy. Plant-based biomass is used as a fuel to generate heat or electricity. Examples include wood and its byproducts, energy crops, agricultural trash, and household, farm, and industrial garbage.

 Biomass

Fig-3: Biomass

     Summary

  • Energy is defined as the ability of a body to do work.
  • A source of energy is that which can provide enough useful energy at a steady rate over a long period.
  • A good source of energy should be:
  • Safe and convenient to use 
  • Easy to transport
  • Easy to store
  • Easily accessible
  • Economical
  • A few sources of energy are:
  • The Sun
  • Flowing water
  • Waves
  • Fossil fuels
  • Wind
  • Biomass
Energy Sources

Comments:

Related topics

Uniform and Non Uniform Motion

Uniform and Non-Uniform Motion: Definition and Differences

Introduction Uniform and Non-Uniform Motion Moving objects move in many different ways. Some move fast and some slowly. Objects can also move in different kinds of paths. We shall categorize the motions done by objects into two categories based on the pattern of their pace of motion in this session. Explanation: Uniform Motion: Let us […]

Read More >>
Weather Maps

Weather Maps: Explanation, Reading, and Weather Fonts

Introduction: Evolution Weather Forecasting Weather forecasting is the use of science and technology to forecast atmospheric conditions for a certain place and period. Meteorology is used to forecast how the weather will behave in the future after collecting objective data on the atmosphere’s actual state in a certain area. Weather Tools Meteorologists use many tools […]

Read More >>
Momentum vs velocity

Momentum vs Velocity: Expression and SI Units

Introduction: In our daily life, we make many observations, such as a fast bowler taking a run-up before bowling, a tennis player moving her racket backward before hitting the tennis ball and a batsman moving his bat backward before hitting the cricket ball. All these activities are performed to make the ball move with great […]

Read More >>
Fossils

Fossils: Formation, Importance, and Different Types

Introduction: Fossils are the preserved remains of plants and animals whose bodies were buried under ancient seas, lakes, and rivers in sediments such as sand and mud. Any preserved trace of life that is more than 10,000 years old is also considered a fossil. Soft body parts decompose quickly after death, but hard body parts […]

Read More >>

Other topics