Catching Some Rays Additional Information

Recommended Web sites:

Learn about the role of carbon in energy production at www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9943298 (National Public Radio).

Sohn, Emily. 2007. Sugar power for cell phones. Science News for Kids (April 25). Available at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20070425/Note3.asp.

______. 2005. Smart windows. Science News for Kids (Dec. 14). Available at http://sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20051214/Feature1.asp.

______. 2005. Boosting fuel cells. Science News for Kids (June 15). Available at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20050615/Feature1.asp.

______. 2005. Revving up green machines. Science News for Kids (June 8). Available at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20050608/Feature1.asp.

______. 2004. Cold house, hot house, green house. Science News for Kids (Oct. 20). Available at http://sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20041020/Feature1.asp.


Books recommended by SearchIt!Science:

[book] Energy— Nigel Hawkes

Published by Twenty-First Century Books/Millbrook Press, 1994

Ever since people discovered fire, they have been using Earth’s energy for light, heat, and cooking. We haven’t always used this energy wisely, though, and Earth may run out of energy resources such as oil, coal, and gas. The solution lies not only in conserving these resources but also in finding new sources of energy. Using color photographs, diagrams, drawings, and text, this book describes some of those new sources. Technology is being used to capture usable energy from biomass and atomic power. An introduction to how we might get energy resources from outer space is offered. The book also contains a chronology, a glossary, and an index.

[book] What You Can Do for the Environment— Mike Wald

Published by Chelsea House, 1993

If you’re like most people, you produce a pound of garbage a day. Worldwide, people are producing 5 billion pounds of garbage every day. No wonder our planet is becoming overrun with trash and pollution! It’s a big problem, and doing the right thing can get a little complicated. This book shows you the best way to help our environment and points out that some environmental “solutions” are actually myths. For example, many people have stopped using disposable diapers because they think that landfills are overflowing with them. But diapers are only a small part of the problem. What takes up the most space in a landfill? Paper. People use tons of it daily, and doesn’t degrade as quickly and as easily as they may think. Black-and-white photographs show our various environmental problems—from water and air pollution to global warming and the greenhouse effect. Learn how you can get involved in ways that will make a difference. Tips for green shopping, reducing waste, buying the right car, and other areas where you can make a difference are included. The book also offers addresses to write for more information, a list of books for further reading, a glossary, and an index.

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Power Words

algae A large group of simple living things that grow in water and range in size from single cells to large seaweeds. Algae were once considered to be plants, but they do not have roots, stems, or leaves. They are now considered to be members of the group known as protists.

electricity A form of energy produced by particles that have charge, especially electrons. Electricity can flow in an electric current, or it can be static.

fossil fuel A source of energy that was formed millions of years ago from the remains of plants and animals. Oil, natural gas, and coal are fossil fuels.

solar cell A device that changes sunlight into electricity. Solar cells are used to supply power to satellites, calculators, and other devices. They are also used as a source of

electricity in areas that have no system of wires to deliver electricity. Solar cells are also called photovoltaic cells.

solar energy Energy that comes from the Sun’s radiation. Solar energy can be used to heat up rooms that have windows facing the Sun. It can also be used to make electricity in solar cells.

Copyright © 2002, 2003 Houghton-Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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