How is most of the electricity we use today created?
It is created by burning coal.
Explain the difference between using solar cells to create electricity and using mirrors or lenses to create electricity.
Solar cells use photons in light to produce electricity. Mirrors and lenses create heat that can be used to make steam for turbines that produce electricity.
Fill in the blanks: Photovoltaic cells contain special chemicals and compounds called ________________.
semiconductors
How many mirrors are located in the Mojave Desert?
More than 900,000.
Define: heat
Energy moving from one area to another.
Why isn't solar used very often?
It isn't used very often because it is not affordable, doesn't work at night, etc...
What is solar energy?
It is light and heat emitted by the sun.
What is another term for a solar panel?
A photovoltaic cells.
Is it a challenge to capture solar energy? Why?
Yes, it is. It depends on the weather, and the area of the world you live in.
What is another name for a solar cell?
It is a photovoltaic cells.
Where is the world's largest solar power plant located?
It is located in the Mojave Desert.
What is a turbine?
A rotating engine that works when a gas or liquid flows through it.
Why haven't solar cells or other forms of solar power replaced the use of fossil fuels?
Solar power still costs a lot compared to the amount of energy it produces.
Name some clean alternative energy sources?
Wind power, solar power, geothermal power, etc
Do you think solar energy will be used more in the future? Explain your answer.
Yes. As fossil fuels become more expensive and solar cells get cheaper, using solar energy will be a good option.
What are a greenhouse gases?
They are gases that contribute to the heating of the Earth's surface.
What is the most abundant power source on Earth?
Solar energy
What flows through a turbine?
A gas or a liquid
How does energy from the sun travel to Earth?
It travels to Earth in the form of radiation.
What are photons?
They are tiny packets of electromagnetic radiation or energy
What are photons?
Photons are little packets of energy that all waves of radiation, including sunlight, contain.
Define: efficient
Done without wasted effort or expense
What do solar cells use to create electricity?
They use photons.
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