Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

AQA GCSE - Design and Technology > 1.2 - Energy Generation and Storage > Flashcards

1.2 - Energy Generation and Storage Flashcards

1
Q

How exactly are fossil fuels used to generate electricity?

A
  • Production of electricity involves rotating a turbine which turns a generator.
  • Fossil fuels are commonly burned to create heat which superheats water.
  • The resultant steam rotates the turbine which is linked to a generator to produce electricity.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are fossil fuels?

A
  • Fossil fuels are finite resources.
  • Natural gas is a main source of power for electricity in the UK. It’s also used for heating and cooking.
  • Coal is burned to create energy.
  • Oil is mainly used to produce plastics or for fuel.
  • Burning these fuels produces large amounts of CO2 which contributes to climate change.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the advantages of fossil fuels?

A
  • A cheap and reliable source of energy.
  • There are well developed systems to harness the energy.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the disadvantages of fossil fuels?

A
  • Contains high amounts of carbon and contributes to global warming.
  • A non-renewable and unsustainable energy source.
  • Accidents such as oil spills contribute to pollution and environmental contamination.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is fracking and shale gas?

A
  • Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a process for extracting the shale gas
  • Shale gas is a natural gas trapped in the earth’s crust.
  • This is done by sending a high pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals into the rock to release the gas.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the specific advantages of coal?

A
  • Reliable. Enough coal on Earth to last hundreds of years.
  • Produces high amounts of energy.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the specific disadvantages of coal?

A
  • Produces carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to global warming.
  • Damage is caused to natural land when mining takes place.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the specific advantages of gas?

A
  • It emits less carbon dioxide than coal or oil.
  • The UK has shale gas deposits.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the specific disadvantages of gas?

A
  • Gas is highly flammable - if there is a gas leak, an explosion can easily happen.
  • Extracting gas might cause the pollution of water
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the specific advantages of oil?

A
  • A small amount of oil can produce a lot of energy.
  • It is relatively easy to store and transport.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the specific disadvantages of oil?

A
  • Creates significant air pollution when burned.
  • Considerable impact on water, land use and disposal.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are some negative effects of fracking?

A
  • Disposal of drilling wastewater used in fracking has been linked to an increased risk of earthquakes
  • Fracking can contaminate water supplies if it is not done properly.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

A nuclear power plant produces energy through a process called _______ - the splitting of uranium atoms in a nuclear reactor.

A

fission

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How is nuclear power used to generate electricity?

A
  • A nuclear reaction which takes place inside a reactor.
  • This releases a large amount of energy as heat.
  • The heat is used to generate steam which drives turbines to produce electricity.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the advantages of using nuclear power?

A
  • Nuclear power is clean and efficient.
  • Nuclear energy runs continuously and reliably generating large scale power.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the disadvantages of using nuclear power?

A
  • The waste material is radioactive and dangerous to life and so requires specialist handling, decommissioning and lots of storage space. This is very costly.
  • Cost of nuclear power stations is very large.
  • Nuclear power stations have to close after around 40 years of use when the uranium becomes less efficient at heating the water.
17
Q

What is renewable nergy

A

These are natural sources of energy that are non-finite and can be quickly replenished.

18
Q

What are some examples of renewable energy?

A
  • Wind
  • Wave
  • Tidal
  • Hydroelectric
  • Geothermal
  • Biomass
  • Solar energy
19
Q

How is wind power used to generate electricity?

A
  • Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from the wind into electricity.
  • The energy of the wind turns the propeller-like blades on the rotor.
  • This is connected to a generator which creates the electricity.
20
Q

What are the advantages of wind power?

A
  • Wind energy is now very cost effective to produce.
  • Running cost of a wind turbine is relatively low.
  • It is a clean source of energy and is sustainable and renewable.
21
Q

What are the disadvantages of wind power?

A
  • When there are periods of low wind, little or no energy is produced.
  • They cost a lot to build and put in place.
  • Some people do not like the look of wind turbines or feel that they spoil the natural landscape.
  • The distance from remote wind sites and connection costs to the national grid may be significant.
22
Q

How is tidal power used to generate electricity?

A
  • Tidal power converts energy from tides into power.
  • The movement of water turns underwater turbines, which drive the generators that convert the energy into electricity.
  • Tidal barrage systems utilise the difference between low and high tides.
  • Tidal stream power utilises fast flowing currents around coasts and islands.
23
Q

What are the advantages of tidal power?

A
  • A constant, predictable, renewable energy source which is clean.
  • Tidal power plants will last for a long time.
24
Q

What are the disadvantages of tidal power?

A
  • Expensive to set up and maintain.
  • Environmental impact of tidal barrages is unknown.
25
Q

How are solar panels used to generate electricity?

A

Solar panels absorb light into photovoltaic cells which is converted into electricity.

26
Q

What are the advantages of solar power?

A
  • Renewable, clean power, no greenhouse gases.
  • Energy can be collected on sunny or cloudy days.
  • Reduces household energy bills.
27
Q

What are the disadvantages of solar power?

A
  • Energy generation levels are lower in winter months when daylight hours are shorter.
  • Energy generation varies depending on how cloudy it is.
  • Costs a lot to install.
  • Some people do not like the look of solar panels or feel that they spoil the appearance of a building.
28
Q

How is biomass energy used to generate electricity?

A
  • Biomass energy is produced from organic matter such as plants, crops, wood chips and animal waste.
  • The energy can be extracted by burning or anaerobic digestion, which creates a biogas and a biofertiliser.
29
Q

What are the advantages of biomass energy?

A
  • A renewable form of energy with a plentiful supply of material.
  • Carbon neutral. Since, in theory, emissions from burnt plants are reabsorbed when biofuel crops are regrown.
30
Q

What are the disadvantages of biomass energy?

A
  • Risk of deforestation if trees are not replanted.
  • Creates atmospheric pollution when burned.
  • Large amount of land used for growing energy crops.
31
Q

How is hydroelectric power (HEP) used to generate electricity?

A
  • Hydroelectric power (HEP) captures the energy of falling water.
  • A turbine converts this kinetic energy into mechanical energy, and a generator turns this to electricity.
  • Dams are the most common structures used for harnessing hydroelectric power.
32
Q

What are the advantages of hydroelectric power?

A
  • Hydroelectric energy is renewable and does not pollute.
  • Reliable energy source.
  • Energy generation can be regulated according to demand by opening and closing valves.
33
Q

What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

A
  • The local environment is affected by flooding of a valley, which impacts on surrounding water flow. This in turn affects natural irrigation and ecosystems.
  • Construction of dams is expensive.
  • Objections from people in the local area.
34
Q

What is kinetic energy?

A
  • Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion.
  • Hydroelectric facilities harness the powerful force of gravity to enable this form of energy storage. The facilities comprise of two reservoirs and a hydroelectric dam system.
35
Q

How do kinetic pumped storage systems work?

A
  • A hydroelectric storage facility holds water in an upper reservoir.
  • At times of high electricity demand, the dam is opened and the water released into a lower reservoir to drive the turbines, producing electricity.
  • At times of low electricity demand, such as at night, the water is pumped back up to the upper reservoir ready for the cycle to continue.
36
Q

Why is it important that battaries are disposed of correctly?

A
  • Batteries contain chemicals that are toxic and should be disposed of correctly at a recycling centre.
  • If batteries end up in landfill, the chemicals can contaminate the ground causing soil or water pollution, harming the environment.
37
Q

How do batteries produce an electric voltage?

A

Batteries contain electro-chemicals that react with each other to produce an electric voltage.

38
Q

What are the properties of an alkaline battery?

A
  • Alkaline batteries have a high energy capacity and long shelf life.
  • Once the chemical reactants have been used, the battery is flat and no longer usable. The power output gradually decreases.
  • A typical battery holds 1.5 volts per cell.
39
Q

What are the properties of a rechargable battery?

A
  • Rechargeable batteries can be recharged a limited amount of times.
  • The power output remains constant until they run flat.
  • Available in different types for higher powered uses.
  • A typical rechargeable battery holds 1.2 volts per cell.

AQA GCSE - Design and Technology (25 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions