Glossary

Archimedes’ Law an object completely or partially submerged in a fluid is acted upon by an upward, or buoyant, force, equal to the weight of the fluid

atom

a tiny unit of matter made up of protons and neutrons in a small dense core, or nucleus, with a cloud of electrons surrounding the core

benthic

organisms inhabiting the bottom of a body of water, such as a lake or the ocean buoyant force an upward push on an object in a fluid; objects that float are experiencing a buoyant force from the water capacity factor the amount of electrical power being generated by a power plant or turbine-generator system divided by its maximum generating capacity center of gravity an imaginary point within an object at which the force of gravity is focused chemical energy energy stored in the chemical bonds of a substance and released during a chemical reaction such as burning wood, coal, or oil

circuit current

a conductor or a system of conductors through which electric current flows flow of electric charge through a conductor; measured in amperes or amps

density efficiency

elastic energy

amount of volume a certain mass occupies; the mass of an object divided by its volume is its density the ratio of energy delivered by a machine to the energy supplied for its operation; often refers to reducing energy consumption by using technologically advanced equipment without affecting the service provided energy stored through the application of a force to stretch or compress an item electric grid network of power stations, power lines, and transformers used to deliver electricity from generation to consumers electrical energy the energy associated with electric charges and their movements electricity a form of energy created by the movement of electrons electromagnetism the interaction of forces occurring between electrically charged particles that can create an electric field or magnetic field

electron energy level fossil fuel

very tiny, negatively charged subatomic particle that moves around the nucleus of the atom area where electrons can be found; describes the probable amount of energy in the atom energy-rich substance formed over long periods of time and under great pressure from the ancient remains of organic matter

generator

a device that produces electricity by converting motion energy into electrical energy with spinning coils of wire and magnets gravitational energy energy of position or place hub part of a wind turbine where the blades connect to the shaft of the motor hydrophone microphone that records underwater sounds hydrothermal vent opening in the floor of an ocean or lake where hot gases or water are pushed outward from the Earth’s crust kinetic energy the energy of a body which results from its motion

Law of Conservation of Energy

the law governing energy transformations and thermodynamics; energy may not be created or destroyed, it simply changes form, and thus the sum of all energies in the system remains constant liquefaction a solid suddenly turning to a liquid; soils or gravels mixing with water may liquefy and no longer be supportive of objects on top of them

magnet

material with pairs of non-cancelling, spinning electrons that line up to form a magnetic field; magnetic materials are attracted to each other

magnetic field the area of force surrounding a magnet monopile large, single structure driven into the Earth to support another structure, such as an offshore wind turbine mooring line line that connects floating objects to the anchor motion energy the displacement of objects and substances from one place to another nacelle the housing where all of the generating components are found within a turbine

neutrons

subatomic particle with no electric charge, found in the nucleus of the atom nonrenewable sources of energy with limited supply due to their inability to be renewed or produced in a short amount of time nuclear energy energy stored in the nucleus of an atom that is released by the joining or splitting of the nuclei nucleus the center of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons and houses the majority of the atom’s mass

ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC)

produces electricity using the temperature differential of ocean water at the surface and at greater depths Ohm’s Law the law that explains the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance in an electrical circuit; in all electrical circuits, the current (I) of that circuit is directly proportional to the voltage (V) applied to that circuit and inversely proportional to the resistance (R) of that same circuit outer continental shelf offshore federal domain where deposits of oil and natural gas and ample wind resources can be found pelagic organisms inhabiting the upper layers of the ocean photovoltaic a device, usually made from silicon, which converts some of the energy from light (radiant energy) into electrical energy; another name for a solar cell potential energy the energy stored within a body, due to place or position power the rate at which energy is transferred; electrical energy is usually measured in watts; also used for a measurement of capacity proton subatomic particle with a positive electric charge, found in the nucleus of an atom radiant energy energy that travels in electromagnetic waves like light or x-rays renewable sources of energy with a more constant supply because they are replenished in a short amount of time

resistance

the force that resists the flow of electricity in an electrical circuit

secondary source of energy

often called an energy carrier, secondary energy sources requires another source, like coal, to be converted for creation; electricity and hydrogen are examples sound energy energy that travels in longitudinal waves static electricity a stationary electric charge on a surface substation part of the electricity transmission grid where voltages are stepped down before the power is distributed to a neighborhood or community thermal energy internal energy within substances, movement or vibration of molecules transformer a device that changes the voltage of electricity turbine a machine of blades that converts kinetic energy of a moving fluid to mechanical power valence energy level the outer energy level of an atom that contains valence electrons, which can be pushed from their shells by a force

voltage

a measure of the pressure (or potential difference) under which electricity flows through a circuit

NEED’s Online Resources

NEED’S SMUGMUG GALLERY

http://need-media.smugmug.com/

On NEED’s SmugMug page, you’ll nd pictures of NEED students learning and teaching about energy. Would you like to submit images or videos to NEED’s gallery? E-mail info@NEED.org for more information. Also use SmugMug to nd these visual resources:

Videos

SOCIAL MEDIA

Stay up-to-date with NEED. “Like” us on Facebook! Search for The NEED Project, and check out all we’ve got going on!

Follow us on Twitter. We share the latest energy news from around the country, @NEED_Project.

Follow us on Instagram and check out the photos taken at NEED events, instagram.com/theneedproject.

Follow us on Pinterest and pin ideas to use in your classroom, Pinterest.com/NeedProject.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel! www.youtube.com/user/NEEDproject

Need a refresher on how to use Science of Energy with your students? Watch the Science of Energy videos. Also check out our Energy Chants videos! Find videos produced by NEED students teaching their peers and community members about energy.

Online Graphics Library

Would you like to use NEED’s graphics in your own classroom presentations, or allow students to use them in their presentations? Download graphics for easy use in your classroom.

AWESOME EXTRAS

Looking for more resources? Our Awesome Extras page contains PowerPoints, animations, and other great resources to compliment what you are teaching in your classroom! This page is available under the Educators tab at www.NEED.org.

Evaluations and Assessment

Building an assessment? Searching for standards? Check out our Evaluations page for a question bank, NEED’s Energy Polls, sample rubrics, links to standards alignment, and more at www.NEED.org/educators/evaluations-assessment/.

E-Publications

The NEED Project o ers e-publication versions of various guides for in-classroom use. Guides that are currently available as an e-publication can be found at www.issuu.com/theneedproject.

NEED Energy Booklist

Looking for cross-curricular connections, or extra background reading for your students? NEED’s booklist provides an extensive list of ction and non ction titles for all grade levels to support energy units in the science, social studies, or language arts setting. Check it out at www.NEED.org/booklist/.

U.S. Energy Geography

Maps are a great way for students to visualize the energy picture in the United States. This set of maps will support your energy discussion and multi-disciplinary energy activities. Go to www.need.org/resources/energy-in-society/ to see energy production, consumption, and reserves all over the country!

Youth Energy Conference & Awards

The NEED Youth Energy Conference and Awards gives students more opportunities to learn about energy and to explore energy in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). The annual June conference has students from across the country working in groups on an Energy Challenge designed to stretch their minds and energy knowledge. The conference culminates with the Youth Awards Cenermony recognizing student work throughout the year and during the conference.

For More Info: www.youthenergyconference.org

Youth AWards Program for Energy Achievement

All NEED schools have outstanding classroom-based programs in which students learn about energy. Does y our school have student leaders who extend these activities into their communities? To recognize outstanding achievement and reward student leadership, The NEED Project conducts the National Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement.

Share Your Energy Outreach with The NEED Network! This program combines academic competition with recognition to acknowledge everyone involved in NEED during the year—and to recognize those who achieve excellence in energy education in their schools and communities.

What’s involved?

Students and teachers set goals and objectives and keep a record of their activities. Students create a digital project to submit for judging. In April, digital projects are uploaded to the online submission site.

Check out:

www.NEED.org/need-students/youth-awards/ for more application and program information, previous winners, and photos of past events.