[ 21st century skills library ]
32
INDEX
biofuels, 7, 23
biomass, 7, 22, 23, 26
coal, 6, 10
efficiency, 8
fossil fuels, 4
geothermal, 7, 8, 14, 15, 26
hydro, 5, 7, 8, 19, 26
nuclear, 6, 8
solar, 5, 7, 8, 12, 26, 28, 29, 30
turbines, 9, 16, 20, 21
wind, 5, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 26, 28, 29
GLOSSARY
converter
(kuhn-VUR-tuhr) a device that
changes electrical energy from one form to
another
core
(KOR) the center of a spherical object
efficiency
(uh-FI-shuhn-see) how much
energy was taken in compared to how much
energy was produced
fossil fuels
(FAH-suhl FYOOLZ)
materials that form naturally over millions of
years that humans can use as fuel; coal, oil,
and natural gas are fossil fuels
generation
(jen-uh-RAY-shuhn) the act or
process of creating or producing
geothermal
(jee-oh-THUR-muhl) having to do
with the heat made inside Earth
kilowatt
(KIL-uh-waht) a common
measurement of electrical power
nonrenewable fuels
(non-ri-NOO-uh-buhl
FYOOLZ) fuel sources that cannot be replaced
by nature fast enough for human use
turbine
(TUR-bine) a machine with blades that
are pushed by air or water, often used to
create electrical power
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexander Lowe is a writer who splits his time between Los Angeles and Chicago. He has
written children’s books about sports, technology, science, and media. He has also done
extensive work as a sportswriter and film critic. He loves reading books of any and all
kinds.
