Objective
To organize recursive data in tables and then use the data to make predictions about future levels of reserves.
Background Information
The Energy Information Agency (EIA) reports that, in 2007, the total U.S. recoverable (mineable) coal reserves were 18,584 million short tons. Recoverable coal reserves refer to the amount of coal that can be mined from existing coal reserves. In 2008, the recoverable reserves in the U.S. fell to 17,875 million short tons.
Creating the Table
At what rate did the reserves deplete between 2007 and 2008?
____________ million short tons/year
Assume that the U.S. will continue to use coal at the same rate for the next 20 years. Complete the table below.
Analysis
How many million short tons remain by 2019? ___________
How many million short tons remain by the end of this period (2026)? ____________
Develop a rule to find the coal reserves for any given year.
Use the rule to determine the amount of reserves remaining for each year indicated.
Hypothesize when you think American coal reserves will be fully depleted (reach zero).
Once past zero, does your rule still work? Explain. What is the range of the data?
If the U.S. continues to go through our coal reserves at this rate, can we consider domestic coal to be a long-term energy source. Explain your reasoning.
Lesson 1 Activity 2 Handout
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