Def: A fuel is any substance that can be used as a source of energy.

Fossil fuels are the remains of plants and animals that lives millions of years ago

 

Coal, Peat, Oil and Gas are all fossil fuels, these are called hydrocarbons.

 

Fossil fuels cause air pollution.

 

The supply of fossil fuels is limited.

 

Fossil fuels are non-renewable.

 

Def: Non-renewable means the supply will eventually run out.

 

Def: Renewable means that the supply will not run out.

 

Learn: Uranium (U), Plutonium (Pu) and Radon (Rn). These are all radioactive substances. (So much energy that they give off some by radiation)

 

A much greater amount of energy can be released by a process called nuclear fission. Neutrons strike the nucleus and slit it in two, releasing a huge amount of energy in the form of heat.

 

This is what happens in a nuclear reactor.

 

	Advantages   Large supply of fuel available.   Small amt of fuel releases a lot of energy		Disadvantages   Reactors are expensive to build and maintain.   Dangerous nuclear waste is produced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Def: Nuclear energy is energy stored in the nucleus of an atom.

 

Def: Radioactive substances give off radiation. E.g. Uranium (U), Plutonium (Pu), and Radon (Rn)

 

3 Types of Radiation: Alpha, Beta and Gamma Rays.

Marie Curie discovered the elements radium and polonium and was awarded the Nobel prize for chemistry twice.

 

The unit of radioactivity, the curie, is named in her honour.