Energy sources – research task

ACARA Curriculum notes

(optional read)

Processing and analysing data and information

Construct and use a range of representations, including graphs, keys and models to represent and
patterns or relationships
(ACSIS144 - Scootle )

Evaluating
Use scientific knowledge and findings from investigations to claims
(ACSIS234 - Scootle )

Communicating
using digital technologies to construct a range of text types to present science ideas
(ACSIS148 - Scootle )
CONTEXT:
Traditionally, most of Australia’s electricity generation has come from burning
coal
CONTEXT:
Traditionally, most of Australia’s electricity generation has come from burning
coal

Why is coal so widely used? And are there any alternatives to using coal?
Coal is formed over millions of years from plants.

As it takes millions of years to form, it is a “fossil fuel”, a

non-renewable resource.
Advantages of coal

• Already exists on Earth

• Can be burned efficiently to

heat water. This creates steam.
The steam then pushes a
turbine. This generates
electricity.

• Technology to use coal has

been around since the
Industrial Revolution (1800s
England)
Advantages of coal
• Already exists on Earth
• Can be burned efficiently to
heat water. This creates steam.
The steam then pushes a
turbine. This generates
electricity.
• Technology to use coal has
been around since the
Industrial Revolution (1800s
England)
Disadvantages of coal
• A by-product of burning coal is the
release of Carbon Dioxide (C02). It
is believed that excess Carbon
Dioxide allows the atmosphere to
trap heat easier – this is known as
the Greenhouse Effect
• Coal is a non-renewable resource,
so it will run out one day (it takes
millions of years for plants to
become coal).
Coal is mostly made of carbon, thus the equation for
combustion is:

Carbon + Oxygen Carbon Dioxide

C + O2 →
Combustion
(burning) CO2
Coal is mostly made of carbon, thus the equation for
combustion is:

Carbon + Oxygen Carbon Dioxide

C + O2 →
Combustion
(burning) CO2

* This is a simplification and good to illustrate a point. In reality though, coal isn’t JUST
carbon.
Burning coal also releases Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Sulfur Dioxide (S02)
The greenhouse effect is a
complex phenomenon.

Carbon Dioxide (C02) (e.g. from

combustion)

Methane (CH4) (e.g. from cows)

Nitrous Oxide (N2 0) (e.g. from

other types of combustion)

all keep heat trapped close to

Earth.
 The greenhouse effect is a
complex phenomenon.

Carbon Dioxide (C02) (e.g. from

combustion)

Methane (CH4) (e.g. from cows)

Nitrous Oxide (N2 0) (e.g. from

other types of combustion)

all keep heat trapped close to

Earth.

It’s thought that this heat is melting the ice caps. Underneath the ice caps are
additional stores of greenhouse gases, creating a vicious cycle of heating.
Carbon Dioxide (C02), in appropriate
amounts, is a normal and necessary part of
the Earth’s biosphere.

We breathe out Carbon Dioxide, and plants

use the Carbon Dioxide.

Too much in the atmosphere is not good

however and 97% of scientists suggest that
Carbon Dioxide and other greenhouse
gases are causing the Earth to heat.
Source: https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/
 Identify the trend of global temperature

Source: https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/
 Identify the trend of global temperature

This line graph

shows that as
time goes on,
the
temperature
gets higher
and higher.

Are there
any counter
arguments
to this?

Source: https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/
Evaluate the effect that global conferences have had on C02 emissions.
Evaluate the effect that global conferences have had on C02 emissions.

This line graph

shows that C02
emissions
went up, EVEN
THOUGH there
have been
multiple
conferences to
try and
reduce them.

Are there
any counter
arguments
to this?
 Identify a trend of coal use in Australia.

Source: EIA Energy statistics

 Identify a trend of coal use in Australia.

This comparison shows us that the Australia is

(very very slowly) reducing coal consumption.
It went from 33% to 32% from 2011 to 2015 (four
Source: EIA Energy statistics years).
Renewable and non-renewable energy sources
(2 lesson research task) (individual or pairs) (goes towards effort grade)

• GOES TOWARDS EFFORT GRADE.

• UP TO TEACHER: Post your work on the Discussion Board. Learn from each other.
• THE BEST ONES MAY BE USED AS SAMPLES FOR NEXT YEAR 
Renewable and non-renewable energy sources
(2 lesson research task) (individual or pairs) (goes towards effort grade)
(ROUGHLY ONE SLIDE FOR EACH OF THESE POINTS)
1. Name of RENEWABLE or NON-RENEWABLE resource (but can’t be coal), with a
picture
2. Short explanation in your own words about what that energy source is
3. Diagram and explanation of how we generate electricity from it
4. A chart or other data that shows the use of that resource (preferably in Australia)
5. Analyse the chart (explain all the parts and how they relate to each other)
6. Evaluate if your chosen energy source would be a better alternative to coal or not.
7. Propose a reason why your chosen energy source isn’t already used in Australia as
much as coal.

• GOES TOWARDS EFFORT GRADE.

• UP TO TEACHER: Post your work on the Discussion Board. Learn from each other.
• THE BEST ONES MAY BE USED AS SAMPLES FOR NEXT YEAR 
 You have 60 seconds to choose one
Renewable Non-renewable
Wind Nuclear*

Biogas Coal

Hydroelectric (a dam) Oil (and the Liquid

Petroleum Gas – LPG -
inside the oil too)
Solar

Geothermal (especially in
Iceland, 89%)
Once finished:
1. Go to this website and investigate electricity generation in QLD
https://maps.dnrm.qld.gov.au/electricity-generation-map/
Once finished:
2. How much of the world’s electricity is still reliant on coal, oil and gas?
Flick the switches to see where the world would go dark without fossil fuels and so on
http://www.gocompare.com/energy/what-powers-the-world/