Table of Contents
Activity 14.8 NCERT Class 10 Science, Sources of Energy
Brief procedure:
Activity 14.8 asks us to assess the impact of energy sources on the environment and mention the merits and demerits of them.
Discussion on the impact on the environment
Impact of fossil energy/thermal plant on the environment
Fossil energies are the remains of plant product which bury into the inner layer of earth. With the passage of time, the carbon molecule present in them is converted into other organic compounds like coal, petroleum oil and gas. Usage of these products releases harmful gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen and sulphur dioxides into the atmosphere. A high amount of nitrogen and sulphur compound in the environment is hazardous to human and cause many breathing problems. These gases also react with waters in the cloud and form acid rains. Acid rains are harmful to plant, soil and historical monuments. Incomplete combustion of coal also produces carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas. Moreover, they also greenhouse gases (Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides). They increase the earth’s temperature and cause global warming.
Impact of a hydroelectric plant on the environment
A hydroelectric dam requires a large area for the storage of water. It leads to a change in the ecosystem of the environment. Many plants and animals bury inside the stored water. They produce methane gas which is a greenhouse gas.
Impact of nuclear energy
Nuclear energy is a clean fuel if handled with caution. It produces a large amount of energy from a small amount, for example, an atom of uranium produce energy which is equal to 10 million atoms of a carbon atom in coal.
Higher output comes with risk too. Radioactive elements are hazardous to human and other organisms. They affect many organs of our body and causes deformity in newborn babies. During the second world war, atomic bombs were used to destroy Nagasaki and Hiroshima of Japan. We can still see the ill genetic effects of them in the descendants of those peoples. A Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Russia causes the death of thousands of people in 1986.
Impact of other energy sources on the environment
Wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, oceans thermal energy is safe and does not cause any impact on the environment.
Merits and demerits
Fossil fuel: Causes pollution, Non-renewable.
Hydroelectric dam: Renewable, causes ecosystem imbalance, high construction cost.
Nuclear energy: Highly efficient, clean, accidental leakage can cause radioactive pollution.
Wind energy: Cause no impact on the environment, pollution free, can be installed only in hilly and ocean regions.
Solar energy: Limited use only during the day and clear sky.
Next: Depletion of coal and solar energy. Activity 14.9.
