Genevieve Mathieson with Phil Taylor

Models of Energy Flow in a Complex Society

In recent years, there have appeared a number of alternatives to traditional energy sources.  As natural resources are depleted, it becomes more important to find reasonable replacements from these new energy sources.  Some of these energy alternatives include photovoltaic, wind, hydroelectric, and nuclear power – both fission and fusion.  As a student of history and physics, I sought a project that would combine historical and societal issues with scientific and technological ones.  An examination of the physical processes of the various available energy sources for their efficiency, availability, and viability seems to be ideal; demonstrating the societal impact of physics.  A major component of this project will be  the presentation of this information in the form of an educational online game for use by the students of Physics 196 – Energy and Society in the Spring semester 2001.