Problem
How could renewable energy sources be used to power a car?
Devise a Plan
1. Consider what you learned about renewable energy sources. Use what you
learned to design a car that operates entirely on renewable energy sources.
2. Think about the following issues:
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What renewable sources of energy are available?
Which sources could be used to operate the car? How could each source
be used?
What equipment would be needed? Where would this equipment be located?
What backup systems should be included?
3. On a separate sheet of paper, draw your designs for a renewable-energy car.
Label your drawings to identify the energy sources you used and to explain how
each system works.
Analyze and Conclude
1. Which renewable energy sources did you use in your car?
2. What are the advantages of using renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels?
3. Which renewable energy sources did you not include in your designs? Why
didn’t you use them?
4. Do you think people in the future will have cars like the ones you
designed? Why or why not?
19 answers
1. Some possible renewable energy sources that could be used to power a car include solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy, geothermal energy, and bioenergy.
2. In my renewable-energy car, I used the following sources:
- Solar energy: Solar panels installed on the car's roof and body can convert sunlight directly into electricity to power the car. This can be particularly effective in sunny locations or during daytime driving.
- Wind energy: Small wind turbines can be mounted on the car to capture wind energy while driving. This energy can then be used to generate electricity and power the car.
- Bioenergy: The car can be designed to run on biodiesel or ethanol fuel produced from renewable biomass resources like plant and animal waste. This can help reduce the car's greenhouse gas emissions compared to using fossil fuels.
3. Equipment needed for the car includes solar panels, wind turbines, and modified engine components for biodiesel or ethanol compatibility. The solar panels would be located on the car's roof and body, while the wind turbines could be mounted on the roof or sides of the car.
4. Backup systems could include a battery pack to store excess energy generated by the solar panels and wind turbines. This would allow the car to continue running even when sunlight or wind conditions are not ideal. Additionally, a small gasoline engine can be included as a backup for emergencies or for long trips when refueling with biodiesel or ethanol is not possible.
Analyze and Conclude
1. I used solar energy, wind energy, and bioenergy in my car design.
2. Advantages of using renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced dependence on nonrenewable resources, and increased sustainability for future generations. Renewable energy sources are also generally cleaner for the environment and can help improve air quality compared to fossil fuels.
3. I did not include hydro energy and geothermal energy in my designs because they are not as practical or feasible for individual vehicle applications. These energy sources generally require large-scale infrastructure or specific geographic locations, making them more suitable for stationary power generation rather than mobile transport.
4. I believe that people in the future will have cars that utilize renewable energy sources similar to the ones I designed. As fossil fuel resources become scarcer and environmental concerns increase, there will be a greater emphasis on developing and adopting cleaner and more sustainable energy options. Technologies such as electric vehicles and biofuels are already becoming more popular, and with advancements in solar panel efficiency and wind energy solutions, it's likely that cars powered by multiple renewable energy sources will become more commonplace in the future.
Edwin buys a water bottle, reuses it twice, and then recycles it. Eleanor buys a water bottle, reuses it twelve times, and then throws it away.
Which energy cost would apply to Edwin, but not to Eleanor?
(1 point)
Responses
the cost of processing the bottle after it was no longer used
the cost of processing the bottle after it was no longer used
the cost of transporting the bottle away from the house
the cost of transporting the bottle away from the house
the cost of transporting the bottle to the store
the cost of transporting the bottle to the store
the cost of producing the original bottle
Responses
The rock display with smaller holes shows petroleum drilling, which is closer to the surface.
The rock display with smaller holes shows petroleum drilling, which is closer to the surface.
The rock display with larger holes shows copper drilling, which is closer to the surface.
The rock display with larger holes shows copper drilling, which is closer to the surface.
The rock display with larger holes shows petroleum drilling, which is deep underground.
The rock display with larger holes shows petroleum drilling, which is deep underground.
The rock display with smaller holes shows copper drilling, which is deep underground.
The rock display with smaller holes shows copper drilling, which is deep underground.
Imagine that you are the head of a large company that wants to retrieve raw materials. In three to five sentences, describe three different jobs your company may need and explain the purpose of those jobs.
1. Surveyor - The surveyor would be responsible for identifying and assessing potential locations for raw material extraction. This involves analyzing the land's geology, topography, and environmental impact.
2. Driller - Once suitable locations for extraction have been identified, the driller would operate the machinery to make a borehole or a well for extracting the raw materials. They would also be responsible for maintaining the equipment and ensuring safety standards are met.
3. Hauler - After drilling the raw materials, a hauler would be responsible for transporting the materials to the processing plant or storage facility. This job would require driving a truck or other vehicle, securing loads, and transporting them safely and efficiently to different destinations.
Responses
petroleum, natural gas, and coal
petroleum, natural gas, and coal
hydroelectric and other renewables
hydroelectric and other renewables
wood and nuclear
wood and nuclear
wood and coal