PHY227

Assignment 1
Iman Allie
3760502
Question 1

Figure 1: Carbon Cycle Diagram extracted from biologydictionary.net

 C-cycle diagram explanation

Carbon enters the atmosphere as Carbon Dioxide from respiration and combustion. The
carbon dioxide is then absorbed by producers such as plants to make glucose during the
photosynthesis stage. Animals feed on these plants which then passes the organic
carbon compounds along the food chain.
 Reason for supporting the claim that global warming is mostly man made
One of the many ways global warming is mostly man made can be due to the
Anthropocene era (Steffen, P. J. C, 2003). This era can be defined as the current
geological era in which human activity has been the driving force on the overall climate
and the environment throughout the world. It has, and is still impacting the earth’s
geology and ecosystems. The main factor that seems to be affected the most by it is
climate change.
 References:
Battin, T. J., Luyssaert, S., Kaplan, L. A., Aufdenkampe, A. K., Richter, A., & Tranvik, L. J.
(2009). The boundless carbon cycle. Nature Geoscience, 2(9), 598-600.
 Booth, B. B., Jones, C. D., Collins, M., Totterdell, I. J., Cox, P. M., Sitch, S., ... & Lloyd, J.
(2012). High sensitivity of future global warming to land carbon cycle
processes. Environmental Research Letters, 7(2), 024002.
Steffen, P. J. C. (2003). How long have we been in the Anthropocene era?. Climatic
Change, 61(3), 251.
.
Question 2

 - Wind
An example would be the wind turbines that transform kinetic energy to electricity.
- Photochemical Process
An example of this would be photosynthesis.
- Photoelectric Phenomena
An example would be the use of solar panels.
 - Wind
Wind energy is formed from solar energy produced by the air movement that is
relative to the earth's surface. This form of energy is generated by the uneven
heating of Earth's surface by the Sun and is modified by Earth's rotation and surface
topography. Solar energy heats windmills and allows them to conduct electricity.
Wind energy produces solar energy. Windmills turn to produce electricity that then
increases the sun's power.

- Photochemical Process
During the process of photosynthesis, plants use the solar energy from the sun to
convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

- Photoelectric Phenomena
In this phenomena there is particles of light that is called photons. These photons
collide with an electron and some of its energy is used to remove the electrons. The
particles that are electrically charged absorbs electromagnetic radiation. When a
solar panel is used, light from the sun falls onto the panel and there is an expulsion
of electron from the solar panels metal plate.
 References:
Bolton, J. R. (Ed.). (2012). Solar power and fuels. Elsevier.
Kruse, O., Rupprecht, J., Mussgnug, J. H., Dismukes, G. C., & Hankamer, B. (2005).
Photosynthesis: a blueprint for solar energy capture and biohydrogen production
technologies. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 4(12), 957-970.
Oppenländer, T. (2007). Photochemical purification of water and air: advanced
oxidation processes (AOPs)-principles, reaction mechanisms, reactor concepts. John
Wiley & Sons.
Question 3
Pie Chart 1
Oil – 33%
Natural gas – 24%
Coal – 27%
Nuclear – 4%
Hydro, solar and other renewables – 11%
References:
Data Source: BP Statistical Review 2020
Pie Chart 2
Industry – 32%
Transport – 28%
Home, commercial & buildings – 40%
Food processing – 27%
References:
IEA, Total final consumption by source, OECD, 1971-2018, IEA, Paris
https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/total-final-consumption-by-source-oecd-
1971-2018
Global energy consumption – 576 EJ “Primary energy - global consumption 2000-2019
Published by N. Sönnichsen, Jul 1, 2020”
Question 4

World energy consumption(EJ) over 10 years back from 2019

600
576.23
World energy consumption(EJ)

580 560.42
560 550.6
543.17
534.91 539.25
540 524.98
518.31
520 506.02
500 482.82
480
460
440
420
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Years

Share of coal and major renewables (%) over 10 years back from
2019
35

30

25
Share(%)

20

15

10

0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Years

Coal Major renewables

References:
Hannah Ritchie (2014) - "Energy". Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from:
'https://ourworldindata.org/energy' [Online Resource]