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An introduction to energy resources
An introduction to energy resources

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S278_2 Glossary

S278_2 Glossary.
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 9:05 AM
Site: Open Learning
Course: An introduction to energy resources (S278_2)
Glossary: S278_2 Glossary
A

Anoxic

Conditions that are oxygen poor (lacking oxygen). Not all the fixed carbon in dead plant tissue returns to the atmosphere as CO2: some may be retained as carbon-enriched residue and yet more converted into hydrocarbons.
B

Biomass

Wood and other plant materials that can be used as fuels.
C

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, with the general formula CnH2nOn. Glucose, one of the simplest carbohydrates, has the formula C6H12O6.

Carbon cycle

The movement of carbon between the major natural stores of carbon (called ‘reservoirs’) on the Earth. The two major divisions of the cycle are the terrestrial and marine carbon cycles.
E

Energy

The capacity to do work, measured in joules (J).

Energy density

The amount of energy stored by a resource relative to the volume that it occupies.

Energy efficiency

The ratio of the useful output of work to the input of energy supplied — usually expressed as a percentage.

Enthalpy

The total energy content of a physical system.
F

Force

The means by which the direction or speed of movement of an object is changed; equal to mass x acceleration.

Fossil fuels

Combustible resources derived from ancient organisms, especially coal, oil and natural gas.