- Energy efficiency- measure of the useful energy.
- Energy efficient appliance- converts energy with small amount of heat and returned as energy
- 2nd Law of Thermodynamics- quality of energy deteriorates gradually over time
- Entropy- measure of randomness or disorder in a system; measure of usable energy within closed/isolated system
- Input- matter/energy entering
- Throughput- flow of components within system
- Output- all components leaving system
- Measure of efficiency- % efficiency = (output ÷ input) x 100 (watts or joules)
- feedback loop-circular process
- Negative feedback: reverses the direction of the flow.
- Positive feedback: changes the rate of the throughput, but not the direction.
- Positive feedback is BAD
- Negative feedback is GOOD
- High throughput economy- high output
- Energy output is low quality
- Low Throughput economy- balance of input and output
- Calculating efficiency- calculate base on % efficiency formula
- Devices wasting large amounts of energy- incandescent light bulb, internal combustion
- Ways to improve energy efficiency: increase fuel efficiency, make vehicles lighter and stronger
- We can save energy in building by getting heat from the sun, superinsulating them and using plant covered green roofs
- We can save energy in an existing building by insulating them, plugging leaks and using energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
- Renewable energy: direct solar, moving water, wind and geothermal
- Ways to cool houses: super insulation, taking advantages of breezes, shading them, light covered or green roofs, geothermal cooling
- Biomass: plant materials and animal waste can be burned to provide heat or electricity or converted into gaseous or liquid biofuels
- Ethanol: crops such as sugarcane and corn can be converted into ethanol
- Passive/Active solar heating
- Cooling houses naturally- Superinsulating them, Taking advantages of breezes, Shading them , Having light colored or green roofs, Using geothermal cooling.
- Wind power is the world’s most promising energy resource because it is abundant, inexhaustible, widely distributed, cheap, clean, and emits no greenhouse gases
- Unit #1
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Unit #3
- Articles >
- Guided Viewings >
- Activities >
- Unit #3 Study Guide
- Chapter #5 Guided Reading
- Borneo Reflection
- Natural Selection
- Keystone Species
- Ecosystem Services Infogram
- Biology Essentials- Exponential Growth
- Biology Essentials- Logistic Growth
- Galapagos Island Case Study
- Chapter #8 Guided Reading
- APES: Something’s Fishy – Population Study Lab
- Biodiversity Hotspot
- How Big is My Population?
- APES-Comparing Biodiversity: Spiders, Spiders Everywhere!-
- Gorillas in the Mist
- Endangered Species Newsletter
- Wanted poster
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Unit #4
- Threats to Biodiversity: An Overview Guided Viewing
- APES in a box: Endangered Species
- Fish Harvesting Techniques
- Which Species Will Live?
- On the Terminatation of Species
- Can Sustainable Management Help Save Tropical Forests?
- Bushmeat Assignment
- Saving the Honeybee
- Conservation for the People
- Rangelands, Grasslands, and Parks
- Mapping the National Parks
- Corridors Case Study
- Endangered Species Graphic Organizer
- Invasive Species Graphic Organizer
- The Omnivore's Dilemma
- Unit #5
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Unit #6
- Human Population Growth and Carrying Capacity
- Chapter Four Guided Viewing
- Human Population Guided Viewing
- Four Stages of Demographic Changes
- Chapter 27 Guided Viewing
- Population, Poverty and the Local Environment Article
- Economics in a Full World Article
- Urban Heat Island Effect Guided Viewing
- Urban Heat Islands Activity
- How Green is My City Article
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Unit #7
- Kermit or Kermette? Case Study
- Ch. 10 Guided Reading
- Lung Toxicology Problem Set
- Toxicology Problem Set
- Home toxins audit
- Toxics in your neighborhood
- The story of cosmetics/electronics
- Biomagnification activity
- Tuna for lunch case study
- Everyday exposure to toxic pollutants
- Radioactive smoke article review
- Risk Survey
- Lead Shot Toxicity
- Solid & Hazardous Waste
- Arsenic in Drinking Water
- Omnivores Dilemma Ch. #2
- Ch. 23 Guided Reading
- Fast food project
- Excessive packaging article
- Recycle city
- Landfill-Notes
- Addicted to Plastic Newsletter
- LD-50 Lab Report
- Rescue Worker's Dilemma
- Radon Guided Viewing
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Unit #8
- Fracking Article
- Ch. 19 Guided Reading
- Gasland
- Water Contamination #1
- Water Contamination #2
- Water Contamination #3
- Wading in Waste article
- Water Pollution Notes
- Bioremediation Assignment
- Mountain top Removal webquest
- WQI Testing
- Article clean energy from filthy water
- Home water audit
- Ch. 18 guided viewing
- Water division webquest
- Blue gold reflection
- NG water footprint calculator
- Go down the dams
- facing the freshwater crisis
- Wading in the waste article
- Poison in the rockies summary
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Unit #10
- Ch. 11 Guided Viewing
- Phosphorus- A Looming Crisis
- APES in a box: soil profile
- Dirt summary
- APES in a box: Soil Pyramid
- Food Inc. summary
- Omnivores dilemma ch. #4
- Harvest of fear guided reading
- Persuasive essay
- Guess whos coming to dinner? notes
- Should we grow GM crops? arguments
- Engineer a crop
- Integrated pest management & biological pest control
- Michael Pollan notes
- CAFO case study questions
- Could food shortages bring down civilization? article
- Soil Lab
- Unit #9
- Unit #11
- Unit #12
- ScrAPES