Comparison should include the advantages and disadvantages of using electricity generated by oil, coal, uranium, hydro, natural gas, wind, and solar. This may include
- advantages, such as usability for heating and transportation; the ability to generate useful byproducts; renewability; lack of harmful waste generated
- disadvantages, such as limitations in supply; difficulty of obtaining a source; environmental threat through pollution, spills, microplastics, or emissions; risk of radioactive leakage.
Process/Skill Questions:
- Where does the United States get its oil?
- What happens to oil after it leaves the well?
- How has oil become an environmental threat?
- Where do oil and coal come from? How long does it take to form coal and oil deposits?
- What are the advantages of using uranium?
- Why is uranium not mined in Virginia?
- What are some effects of hydroelectric power on fish populations? On water quality?
- What does a decommissioned solar site look like?