‘Sources of Energy’ Class 10 Physics Chapter 14 notes explains the definitions and important details about different types of energies. In this blog article we focus on the advantages as well as disadvantages of renewable and non- renewable energy sources. Uses of solar energy, wind energy and energy have been illustrated in simple languages for the ease of the students.
Sources of energy
A source of energy refers to a substance that possesses the ability to produce energy for a long time.
Good energy sources
A good source of energy should be:
- Easy to store
- Easily transportable
- Cheap and convenient
Fuel
The substances which are burnt for producing heat are called fuel. Ex- Petrol, wood etc.
Characteristics of Good fuel
- Produce less smoke
- Calorific value is high
- Cost effective
- Easy to transport and store
- Easily available
Classification of sources of energy
Energy sources can be classified in two types – a) Renewable , b)Non-renewable
a) Renewable energy sources
The sources of energy that can be replenished by nature. They are freely available in nature.
Advantages
- They do not create pollution
- They are easily available
b) Non- renewable energy sources
The energy sources that are exhaustible and take a long course of time to reproduce.
Disadvantages
- It affects the environment by producing pollution
- They are available in limited amount in nature
Convectional energy sources
The energy sources are commonly used
Example – Biomass, fossil fuels.
Non Convectional energy sources
The energy sources that can be replenished and sustainable.
Conventional energy sources
Some Convectional energy sources are as follows:
1. Fossil fuel
Fossil fuel takes a long period to be produced. When dead body parts of plants and animals get buried in mud for millions of years. After decaying the remaining parts are covered by sediment and due to the extreme pressure and temperature it converts to fossil fuel. Example – Petro, natural gas.
Pollution by fossil fuel
- They are not renewable
- They causes air pollution
- Fossil fuels are available in limited amount in nature
2. Thermal power plant
Fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum are burned and by the emitted stem a turbine is run. In those plants electricity is generated through heat energy.
Coal, natural gas and petroleum are used to produce thermal electricity.
3. Hydro power plant
The energy of running water is converted to electricity.
River water is stored in a dam and when it falls down with high speed electricity is generated by using a turbine connected with an electric generator.
In this process potential energy is converted to electric energy.
Advantages of Hydro power plant
- It is renewable as well as an inexhaustible source of energy.
- Eco-friendly source of energy
- It doesn’t emits any pollution
- Cost effective process
Limitations of Hydro power plant
A large area is needed to construct a dam.
Construction of a dam is expensive
Non conventional energy sources
- Solar energy
Solar energy is obtained from the sun in the form of heat and energy. Solar cells transform energy into electricity.
Solar energy devices
Some devices that run on solar energy are solar cooker, solar lights.
a) Solar cooker
In a solar cooker, a large glass plate is used for converting heat energy to electric current. It works by creating green house effects.
Advantages of solar cooker
- Eco-friendly source of energy
- Renewable source
Limitation of solar cooker
- It takes much time for cooking than usual process
- It can not be used in cloudy day and at night
b) Solar cell
A solar cell is a non mechanical device that provides electric energy by converting heat through PV(Photovoltaic cell).
Advantages of solar cell
- It is a renewable source
- It is easy to maintain
- It doesn’t produce any pollution
Disadvantages of solar cell
- Installation of solar cell is expensive
- It can not be at night or on cloudy days.
2. Wind energy
A renewable source of energy that produces electricity from the power of wind.
This eco-friendly source converts Kinetic energy to electric energy.
Advantages of Wind energy
- It an inexhaustible power source
- It doesn’t affect the environment
- It is inexpensive
Disadvantages of Wind energy
- Energy production is affected by the inconsistent supply of wind
- Wind turbines create sound that can disturb the local people
Also read: CBSE Class 10 Physics Chapter 12 Notes: Magnetic effects of electric current
3. Energy of Sea
- Wave energy
Wave energy is a kind of renewable energy source which is generated from the power of waves in the ocean.
- Tidal energy
The natural process of high and low tide creates current which moves the underwater turbines to generate electricity.
- Ocean thermal energy
This advanced technology generates electricity by using the temperature of the warm surface water of the sea and the cold water of the deep sea.
4. Biomass
The dead and decaying body parts of plants and animals as well as the waste products of animals are known as Biomass.
i) Wood
Wood is the most commonly used fuel for years. It emits smoke when it is burnt.
Disadvantages of using wood
- It polluted the environment.
- It creates pollution by emitting smoke.
- It doesn’t produce much heat.
ii) Charcoal
Charcoal can be obtained by burning wood in low oxygen supply. It emits a lot of heat. Smoke is not created after burning charcoal. It has a higher calorific value than wood.
iii) Biogas
When organic matters decay by the effect of bacteria it produces Biogas. It has a high calorific value. It is a good fuel.
Advantages of Biogas
- High heating ability
- It doesn’t produce smoke
- It a safe and effective method
5. Geothermal energy
The power of the earth’s interior heat is converted to generate electricity.
Advantages of Geothermal energy
- Eco-friendly source of energy
- It is easily available
- It produces no pollution like the power plants work through fossil fuels
Disadvantages of Geothermal energy
- Construction of plant is expensive
- It only can be set up in the ears with high Geothermal activity.
6. Nuclear energy
The energy of the nucleus combines the proton and neutron in an atom is known as Nuclear energy. This energy is generated by the relation of the nucleus.
- Nuclear fission
Nuclear fission refers to the process of obtaining energy by splitting the nucleus of radioactive cells. A large amount of energy is produced through the process.
- Nuclear fusion
In Nuclear fusion a lot of energy is obtained through combining the two nuclei of a light substance to create a heavy nucleus.
Advantages of Nuclear fusion
- A little amount of Nuclear fuel is needed to produce a large amount of Nuclear energy.
- It doesn’t emit any green house gases
Disadvantages of Nuclear fusion
- Risk of harmful radiation
- Nuclear fuel is less available
- Installation is expensive
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Conclusion
Sources of Energy is one of the most important Physics chapters for the board exam of class 10. Here the ‘Sources of Energy’ Class 10 Physics Chapter 14 notes offer a complete analysis of the chapter including important definitions and explanation of various types of conventional and non conventional energy sources. Solar energy, Tidal energy, and Nuclear energy are eco-friendly sources on the contrary Thermal energy, and burning fossil fuels have a harmful impact on the living beings of our environment. Advantages as well as disadvantages of all those energies are included here.
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