Social Science, GLOSSARY UNIT 8

Mechanisation: the use of machinery in the production process.

Mining: the process of extracting minerals from the ground. 

Mineral: a naturally occuring solid chemical substance.

Fossil fuels: fuels that are formed by the decomposition of buried organic material, and exposure to heat and pressure, producing substances such as coal, oiland gas.

Industry: any economic activity that produces a service or transforms raw materials into consumer goods.

Energy: power that comes from the utilisation of physical or chemical resources. 

Biomass: organic material used as a fuel that releases energy when burned. 

Management: the people that run a company and ensure that goods and services of a high enough quality are produced and sold at competitive prices. 

Workforce: the employees required to produce goods and services. 

Wind turbine: a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy to drive machinery or generate electricity. 

Solar panel: special panel that gets energy from the sunlight.

Renewable energy: type of energy that is inexhaustible.

Non-renewable energy: type of energy that comes from limited supplies.

Traditional energy: energy sources that are most commonly used.

Alternative energy: refers to sources that are still being developed.

Dam: a barrier of concrete, earth, etc, built across a river to create a body of water for a hydroelectric power station, domestic water supply, etc

Guild: an association of men sharing the same interests, such as merchants or artisans

Heavy industry: type of industry that uses large quantities of resources.

Light industry: they produce goods that are ready for consumption.

Cutting-edge industries: type of industries that have a high level of technology.

Craftsperson: a person who makes products using basic tools and manual labor.