Year 7 Science · Unit 3 · Lesson 19

Renewable vs Non-renewable Energy

Challenge Worksheet

Name

Date

Class

Learning Goals

Critically evaluate a claim about solar energy by identifying real limitations.
Distinguish between "clean" and "renewable" and explain why the difference matters.
Construct a nuanced argument about Australia's energy transition using evidence.

Go Deeper

Find the mistake

A student wrote this answer

"Australia should switch completely to solar energy today. Solar is free — sunlight costs nothing — and it's clean because it produces no greenhouse gases at all. It's also unlimited, so we'll never have a power shortage again. There's really no good reason not to do it immediately, and anyone who disagrees just doesn't understand the science."

1. Identify two factual mistakes or oversimplifications in the student's answer.

Challenge 2 marks

2. Write a corrected version of the student's answer. Keep what is true, fix what is wrong, and add at least two real limitations that are missing.

Challenge 3 marks

3. Why might someone find the student's original argument convincing, even though it has scientific errors?

Challenge 2 marks

Show What You Know

1. A politician claims "nuclear power is clean energy." A scientist argues "nuclear power is not renewable energy." Explain how both statements can be correct at the same time. Use the terms renewable, non-renewable, finite, and emissions in your answer.

Challenge 4 marks

2. The Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia is a large grid-scale battery. Explain why grid batteries are an important part of a high-renewable electricity system, and what would happen during a calm, cloudy week if there were no storage at all.

Challenge 3 marks

Wrap Up

What was the most surprising thing you learned about renewable energy in this lesson?