FAQs for energy paper

Dear Students, the questions and answers in short forms would be very useful for slow learners

1. Explain Global Warming

It is an increase in the average surface temperature of the Earth. Global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases. The Earth's surface has warmed by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past 140 years. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently concluded that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases (co2, cH4, N2O, CFC and HF6) are causing an increase in the Earth's surface temperature and that increased concentrations of sulfate aerosols have led to relative cooling in some regions, generally over and downwind of heavily industrialized areas.

2. What is Emission Trading

Emissions Trading is the creation of surplus emission reductions at emissions sources and the use of this surplus to meet or redefine pollution requirements applicable to other emissions sources. This allows one source to increase emissions when another source reduces them, maintaining an overall constant emission level. Facilities that reduce emissions substantially may "bank" their "credits" or sell them to other facilities or industries

3. Define Geothermal energy ?

Geothermal energy is the energy gained by tapping the hotspots near the surface of the Earth's crust.

4. List the major impacts caused by nitrous oxide emission ?

Impact caused by Nitrous oxides are releasing during fossil fuel burning. In addition to being a greenhouse gas they are also ozone depleters. The increased use of fertilisers with the expansion of intensive farming is another major source of nitrogen oxides.

5. Define nuclear Energy?

Nuclear fission and fusion is the source of energy that is released either by splitting (fission) the nucleus of a heavy atom (usually uranium) or fusing (fusion) the nuclei of two light atoms.

6. Nuclear reprocessing is the recovery of unused plutonium or uranium from irradiated fuel that has been used up in nuclear reactors- the systems used to carry out nuclear fission.

7. What does the term valorize denote?

     Valorise means to reuse, recycle or incinerate waste with energy recovery

8. Write a short note on Agenda 21?

Agenda 21 is the name of the agreement signed by most countries at the Rio Conference in 1992. "Agenda 21 addresses the pressing problems of today and also aims at preparing the world for the challenges of the next century. It reflects a global consensus and political commitment at the highest level on development and environment co-operation.

9. How are acid Rains formed?

Atmospheric drops combine with a range of chemical pollutants such as carbon and sulphur dioxide to form rain, mist or snow that is more acid than normal. It can cause damage to plants many thousands of kilometres away from where it formed.

10. How are the rivers/waterbodies affected by discharge of coolant water from thermal plants.

The water bodies are affected by the Thermal pollution .It is the increase in temperature of a body of water due to the discharge of water used as a coolant in industrial processes or power production and can cause damage to aquatic life

NB:Cover all the five modules,without omitting any and my best wishes to you all.