This chapter was about the new advancements in technology that came from the production of fossil fuels in today's modern age. There is a list of these new innovations in chapter six, which include steam engines in trains, fission reactors, aluminum, airplanes, pipes as well as computers, the television and cars. The purpose of this chapter is to conclude the text and show all of the uses of products powered by fossil fuels.
Terms:
Fission Reactor- a device that converts energy into various forms such as heat and power.
Embourgeoisement- the process of becoming middle class in various cultures and social situations.
Dreadnoughts-a large battleship used predominantly in the twentieth-century.
Discussion:
How might better transportation make an economy more efficient?
How might better transportation make an economy more efficient?
Better transportation would make an economy more efficent because if we could create our own energy without doing significant damage to the environment, and ultimately give the ecomony the stimulation it needs to get out of the recession. Better transportation over the years has also benefited the economy by allowing us to gain access to certain natural resources and knowledge not previously attainable.
How can better communications be used to reduce energy use?
Talking on the cell phone instead of driving somewhere to talk with someone is a great example of more efficent energy use, because it uses less fossil fuels and energy. This reduction of energy useage can be practiced by everyone, is as simple as cutting back on how much power we use everyday.
Other Thoughts:
What is the most prominent invention mentioned in chapter six still in use today?
In my opinion, the invention used the most in today's society is aluminum. This is because it is used in a variety of machines and inventions that have revolutionized the way we live today.
What new idea was invented by James Watt? How did this machine revolutionize methods of transportation? The steam engine; this machine inspired modern innovations such as internal combustion engine as well as other mechanisms in use on automobiles.
Where are oil tankers shipping the most oil?
Between the Persian Gulf and Japan.
Your points about transportation are partly correct, but the bigger effect is increased specialization and returns to scale.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, sending information instead of people is a reduction in energy use (though the infrastructure to send the information requires significant energy to build).
A fission reactor _creates_ heat by releasing the energy in radioactive materials, such as uranium. That heat can then be converted into electric power, but that part of the process is no different than if burning coal were the driving energy force.