Energy Kids − http://www.eia.gov/kids/index.cfm
See data -
http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/annual/pdf/sec1_9.pdf
Source: Annual Energy Review – Table 1.3
U.S. Energy Pie
Grade-level: 6
th
– 9
th
grade
Concepts: Using math to explore changes in the use of energy sources.
Definitions: This lesson looks at the use of primary energy sources including: coal,
natural gas, petroleum, nuclear electric power, hydroelectric power, geothermal, solar,
wind, and biomass. Primary energy sources can be converted into secondary energy
sources like electricity and hydrogen.
Procedure:
1. Find Table 1.3 (
http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/annual/pdf/sec1_9.pdf ) of the
Annual Energy Review online. Find the total amount of primary energy
consumption for 1970 and the most recent year in the last column of this table.
How much more energy did we use in the most recent year compared to 1970?
2. Use the most recent estimates from Table 1.3 to fill in the table on page 2
(attached). Calculate the percent of total energy from coal, natural gas, petroleum,
nuclear, and total renewable sources.
3. Fill in the empty pie chart on the attached sheet. Label the year, total energy
consumption, and percent for each energy source.
4. Look up the uses of each energy source on the table at:
http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=about_sources_of_energy-basics.
Then, list the uses for each energy source next to the slices of pie.
5. List the energy sources in order from most to least used for both pie charts.
6. Discuss how and why the two energy pies are different. Try to predict what the
energy pie will look like in five, ten, or twenty years from now?
Energy Kids − http://www.eia.gov/kids/index.cfm
See data -
http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/annual/pdf/sec1_9.pdf
Source: Annual Energy Review – Table 1.3
Primary Energy Consumption
Source
1970
Recent year
Data
Quadrillion
British thermal units
% of Total
Data
Quadrillion
British thermal units
% of Total
Coal
12.265
18%
12.265/67.844
Natural Gas
21.795
32%
21.795/67.844
Petroleum(Oil)
29.795
44%
29.795/67.844
Nuclear Electric Power
0.239
0.4%
0.239/67.844
Renewable Energy (total)
4.076
6%
4.076/67.844
Total
67.844
100%
