08. P3 Generating Electricity

Question 1

Define - Acid rain

Answer 1

Environmental problem caused by sulfur dioxide (which is released by burning fossil fuels)

Question 2

Define - Biofuel

Answer 2

A carbon-neutral, renewable type of fuel obtained from living or recently living organisms (wood is common example)

Question 3

Define - Carbon-neutral

Answer 3

Only releases the same amount of carbon dioxide that it absorbed during its lifetime, so there is no overall increase in carbon dioxide by burning it.

Question 4

Define - Fossil Fuels

Answer 4

Coal, oil and gas. Finite fuels which have been produced over millions of years.

Question 5

Define - Geothermal energy

Answer 5

Uses heat from the energy released by radioactive substances deep within the Earth.

Question 6

Define - Hydroelectric power

Answer 6

Uses a dam that directs water through a turbine to generate electricity.

Question 7

Define - National grid

Answer 7

Network of cables and transformers that transfers electricity around the country.

Question 8

Define - Solar cell

Answer 8

Panel that converts energy from the sun into electrical energy. Also called a photovoltaic cell.

Question 9

Define - Solar heating panel

Answer 9

Panel that converts energy from the sun to thermal energy by heating water which is passing through the pipes.

Question 10

Define - Solar power tower

Answer 10

Uses many mirrors to reflect sunlight onto a water tank on top of a tower, steam produced turns turbines andthen generators.

Question 11

Define - Start-up time

Answer 11

Time taken for power stations to start up. Nuclear has the longest, then coal, then oil, then natural gas. Hydroelectric has shortest start up time

Question 12

Define - Tidal power

Answer 12

Uses trapped high tides to force water through a turbine to generate electricity.

Question 13

Define - Turbine

Answer 13

Rotates when steam or water is pushed through it. Used to drive a generator.

Question 14

Define - Wave power

Answer 14

Uses the movment of water waves to generate electricity by turning turbines and generators.

Question 15

Define - Wind power

Answer 15

Uses the wind to turn turbines/generator, and generate electricity.

Question 16

Advantages of biofuels

Answer 16

Renewable, Carbon neutral, reliable

Question 17

Advantages of Geothermal energy

Answer 17

Free fuel costs, No carbon dioxide released, renewable, reliable

Question 18

Advantages of hydroelectric power

Answer 18

No pollution, short start up time, fuel is free, reliable

Question 19

Advantages of nuclear power

Answer 19

Uranium is highly available(for now) and reliable, Lots of energy released per kg of fuel, No greenhouse gases

Question 20

Advantages of tidal barrages

Answer 20

No pollution, Reliable, Free fuel costs

Question 21

Advantages of wave power

Answer 21

No carbon dioxide or carbon particulates emitted, renewable source, no fuel costs

Question 22

Advantages of wind power

Answer 22

No carbon dioxide or carbon particulate emitted, renewable source, no fuel costs

Question 23

Disadvantages of biofuels

Answer 23

Large areas of land needed to grow fuel, large amounts of fuel needed to match a fossil fuel output.

Question 24

Disadvantages of geothermal energy

Answer 24

Only possible in volcanic areas sos uitable sites difficult to find, expensive to build

Question 25

Disadvantages of hydroelectric power

Answer 25

Flood a valley, loss of habitat, high build costs

Question 26

Disadvantages of nuclear power

Answer 26

Produces nuclear waste, expensive to build, high safety costs, non-renewable

Question 27

Disadvantages of underground cables

Answer 27

Expensive to install and fix, takes longer to install, Insulation needed to reduce risk of electrocution

Question 28

Disadvantages of overhead cables

Answer 28

Eye-sore, Damages landscapes, Can be damamged by weather, Easy access allows possible vandalism, Hazard to low flying air crafts

Question 29

Disadvantages of solar cells

Answer 29

Only works at day time, unreliable, high initial costs (although these are getting cheaper)

Question 30

Disadvantages of tidal barrages

Answer 30

Prevents boat access, can affect habitat, high cost to build

Question 31

Disadvantages of wave power

Answer 31

Spoils view , hazard to boats, unreliable (no wind = no waves)

Question 32

Disadvantages of wind power

Answer 32

Spoils view(visual pollution), noise pollution, unreliable, large number needed (600ish) to produce same energy as a standard coal power station

Question 33

Decribe the processes in a fossil fuel power station

Answer 33

Fuel is burnt to release heat energy and boils the water, Water turns to steam, steam turns turbines, which turns generator to generate electrical energy

Question 34

Define - Finite

Answer 34

Will run out

Question 35

Non-renewable

Answer 35

Resource that will run out once they’re used as they cannot be used again eg coal and oil

Question 36

Renewable

Answer 36

A resource that can be replaced/regenerated and will never run out eg solar and wind

Question 37

The national grid

Answer 37

The network of transformers cables and pylons that carry energy across the country

Question 38

Advantages of solar cells?

Answer 38

Free fuel costs, No carbon dioxide released, renewable

Question 39

What are tidal barrages?

Answer 39

Dams built across river estuaries which control the flow of tidal water

Question 40

What does nuclear power stations use as fuel?

Answer 40

Uranium (and some plutonium)

Question 41

Which non-renewable resource has the quickest start up time?

Answer 41

Natural gas