Good Science Victorian Curriculum Year 7

CHAPTER 7: EARTH’S RESOURCES
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Flowing water can generate power
The energy from moving water, such as waves or in dams, can be
harnessed to create electricity. In the same way that wind power uses
moving air to turn a turbine, hydropower uses water. The falling or
flowing water turns the turbine, which then generates electricity.
As a resource, water is also used by humans for drinking and
household use, but the vast majority is used in farming and by
industry in factories. Most of the water that is used by humans is fresh
(not salt water) and these sources must be managed carefully to make
sure they don’t run out or become polluted or unusable.
How can water generate power?
The Sun can create electricity
The heat and light energy we get from the Sun is called solar energy.
It is the starting point for most of the processes on Earth. Without the
Sun’s heat and light, nothing would live on Earth – our planet would be
a cold, airless rock.
Plants use the energy from the Sun for photosynthesis, which enables
them to grow. This energy is then passed on to the organisms that
eat the plants. The Sun’s heat warms the air unevenly, causing air of
different temperatures to meet and move as wind.
Solar power panels, like the ones you see on the roofs of houses,
convert sunlight into electricity. Solar thermal systems also use sunlight
to heat water or air in buildings.
What can solar power panels change solar energy into?
Figure 7.6 Dams throughout the Snowy Mountains
are used to generate hydroelectricity. The movement
of falling water is used to spin turbines.
INVESTIGATION 7.3A
Designing a windmill
to lift a weight
KEY SKILL
Representing and
recording data using a table
Go to page 171
INVESTIGATION 7.3B
Making bioplastic
KEY SKILL
Identifying and managing
relevant risks
Go to page 172
CHECKPOINT 7.3
1 Identify two examples of
resources provided by:
a living things
b air
c water
d the Sun.
2 Identify four examples of
renewable energy resources.
3 Explain why the time taken to
restore a resource is important
for determining whether it is
renewable.
4 Explain how wind, water and
solar power each create
electricity.
5 Hydroelectric schemes use the
movement of water to spin big
turbines to generate electricity.
Can you think of any impacts
on the environment that could
be caused by hydroelectric
schemes?
STUDENT VOICE
AND AGENCY
6 As a class, organise and hold
a debate about the use of
renewable energy resources
in Australia.
SUCCESS CRITERIA
I can explain what a
renewable resource is.
I can give examples of some
renewable resources and
their features.
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