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What is alternative energy?

Alternative energy is a general term that includes sources of energy other than those that are most commonly used in society. Coal, oil, and natural gas—and nuclear and hydroelectric power to a lesser extent—are considered dominant or "conventional" forms of energy. The dominant forms, collectively, account for between 85 percent and 97 percent of all energy consumption on Earth (the exact percentage is not known because information is not available from many remote areas).

The most familiar types of "alternative energy" are solar power, wind power, tidal power (power derived from ocean tides), geothermal power (heat from the interior of the Earth), and biomass energy (derived from burning plant matter).

The use of alternative energy sources has increased in recent years, as the world's supply of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) dwindles. Another attractive aspect of...

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1. Consumption And Conservation
   1. Does the United States currently produce enough energy to meet its consumption needs?
   2. How much energy is saved by raising the setting for a home air conditioner?
   3. Which countries consume the most energy?
   4. How much water does an average person use each day?
   5. What does the term "cooling degree day" mean?
   6. How much energy is saved by recycling one aluminum can?
   7. What is the advantage of switching from incandescent to fluorescent light bulbs?
   8. How much money can be saved by lowering the setting on a home furnace thermostat?
2. Fossil Fuels
   1. Why are coal, oil, and natural gas called fossil fuels?
   2. How is a "heating degree day" defined?
   3. How and when was coal formed?
   4. What types of coal are there?
   5. What is a "miner's canary"?
   6. How is underground coal mined?
   7. When was the first oil well in the United States drilled?
   8. Why was lead added to gasoline and why is lead-free gasoline used in new cars?
   9. When did gasoline stations open?
   10. What are the main components of motor vehicle exhaust?
   11. How is gasohol made?
   12. How does driving speed affect gas mileage for most automobiles?
   13. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives to gasoline to power automobiles?
3. Alternative Energy
   1. What is alternative energy?
   2. There are three types of primary energy that flow continuously on or to the surface of the Earth. What are they?
   3. What is the difference between passive solar energy systems and active solar energy systems?
   4. What is biomass energy?
4. Nuclear Energy
   1. What is nuclear energy?
   2. How many nuclear power plants are there worldwide?
   3. What is the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
   4. What is the Rasmussen Report?
   5. What is a meltdown?
   6. Where did the expression "China Syndrome" originate?
   7. Which nuclear reactors have had accidents?
   8. What caused the Chernobyl accident?
   9. What was the distribution of radioactive fallout after the Chernobyl accident?
   10. What actually happened at Three Mile Island?
   11. How is nuclear waste stored?