Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Energy mechanics -- Conservation of energy -- Heat and work -- Home energy conservation and heat-transfer control -- Solar energy : characteristics and heating -- Energy from fossil fuels -- Air pollution and energy use -- Global warming, ozone eepletion, and waste heat -- Electricity : circuits and superconductors -- Electromagnetism and the generation of electricity -- Electricity from solar, wind, and hydro -- The building blocks of matter : the atom and its nucleus -- Nuclear power : fission -- Effects and uses of radiation -- Future energy alternatives : fusion -- Biomass : from plants to garbage -- Tapping the Earth's heat : geothermal energy -- A national and personal commitment.