this is my physics assignment, and yes, i got an A sweet!
* Introduction * People use electricity everyday all around the world. In fact, Australia alone generates approximately 191 313GW per hour (see Appendix 3). But what is behind all the power points, wires and cords that have now become the basis in our society, how does it work and how much does it cost? *Methods * There are many ways in which to get electricity. Some are good for the environment, and some are bad for the environment, but most people use the unclean ways and damage the atmosphere severely (see contribution to pollution). i). Nonrenewable methods... The main sources for electricity in Australia and most other countries come from unrenewable fossil fuels such as: - Coal
- Oil or petroleum, and
- Natural gas and propane
They are formed from the rotting remains of old plants and animals millions of years ago and are finite; once they have been used up, there is nothing left. To make electricity, the fuel is burnt underneath a vat of water to make steam. This steam turns giant turbines and this creates energy which is then turned into electricity. Nuclear power is another source of electricity and although it isn’t classified as a fossil fuel and doesn’t give of greenhouse gases, it is still nonrenewable because there is only a set amount. To get power from it, the same concept of the power station is used, but except for burning fuel, a small quantity of radioactive uranium is used to make the steam. This might sound clean, but nuclear power stations produce massive amounts of lethal toxic waste that is non-biodegradable. In fact, the radio-active waste produced from places like this stay radio-active for over 100 years. It is hard to find places to dump this waste and if we continue to use nuclear power, the earth will become a giant dump. There is also the potential to have a major disaster like a nuclear melt down, such as Chernobyl in 1986 (see appendix 5) and cause complete chaos. ii). Renewable and green methods... Renewable energy is becoming increasingly popular as time goes on. This is because they are good for the environment, and the nonrenewable sources are quickly running out. Some green methods include: - Hydro energy (water energy)
- Wind energy
- Biomass energy
- Geothermal energy and
- Solar energy.
But if there are so many types of clean energy, why does only less than 1% of all of the world’s electricity come from it? The problem with the clean energy is that it is much too expensive and far too inefficient to supply enough power for us, or is it us with the problem? As I sit here typing on the computer, listening to the radio and talking to somebody on myspace with lots of lights on, I wonder what would happen if everyone just cut down on their electricity consumption (see Recommendations). Could we rely of green power methods then? * Contribution to pollution * Global warming is a dilemma that has started to alarm Australia and the whole world alike. If we continue down the road of creating excessive amounts of greenhouses gases and carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels at a shocking rate, then there will be no ozone layer to protect the earth from the strong rays of the sun. Pretty soon, all the ice in the North and South Poles will melt from overheating and flood the world. 
Other side effects include acid rain from the carbon dioxide releasing sulphur into the atmosphere and joining onto rain droplets and creating sulphuric acid.
Also, the extremely hot temperatures will cause many species to die out, and if it gets too hot, maybe even humans will die. This could potentially wipe out all existence as we know it, an apocalypse.
If we use green power and save electricity (see Recommendations), then we can save the world from its fate.
*Electrical devices in my home *
Device Usage/hour
Convection Oven 1500W
Dishwasher 1500W
Oven 4000W
Toaster 1100W
Phone 16W
Kettle 2200W
Iron 1200W Fridge
Freezer 508kW
Stovetop 1200W
Fluorescent Light 15W
Slow Cooker 750W
Ghetto Blaster 22W
* Cost of electricity *
The price of electricity changes everyday at a very fast pace (see Appendix 4), so it is hard to say what the exact price of electricity is. On the 29th of August, electricity cost an average of $35.88/MWh off peak hours, and cost $38.62/MWh on peak hours (7am - 10pm).
* Conclusion and recommendations *
We can’t make the problem of global warming go away forever because of all the damage we have already done, but we can make a difference (see appendix 9). There are alternatives to using most electrical appliances in the home. For example, I have a hair straightener that I use everyday. Every year, it cost around $12 of electricity a year because it is 42watts and my mum and I use it for about 2 hours per day (see appendix 7). If we don’t use it, we both look really ugly (see appendix 6), but if we just tie our hair up and wear lots of make up instead (see appendix 8), then we can be stylish and save approximately 0.6% of the $2052 annual bill at the same time. We could also save by preventing the use of unnecessary light, turning off the television when it isn’t being used, get insulation so that we stop using the heater so much and sing to ourselves instead of listening to the stereo.
My household’s bill isn’t very high because only two people live in there and we don’t own a clothes-dryer, games console or an air conditioner. More people should be like my family because although sometimes we are horribly bored or have sopping wet clothes, we are well on the way to making the world a better place for future generations.
*Appendix 1*One alternative is ...
"Yelling releases excess carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Anger will be demonstrated via sign language and harsh glaring"
(Ways Jack Bauer Will Fight Global Warming, http://www.kxmb.com/News/Nation/150735.asp)
*Appendix 2*
me with un-straight hair = yuk
*Appendix 3*
me with straight hair = yum, but not good for the environment *tear*
*Appendix 4*
if i just tie my hair up and wear lots of make-up, i am an environmental babe!
