1.3 Energy Generation

Question 1

What are the two types of sources of energy?

Answer 1

Renewable and non renewable

Question 2

What are non renewable energy sources? Give 3 examples.

Answer 2

Non renewable energy sources are finite and once used up, cannot be replenished quickly.
- oil
- gas
- coal

Question 3

What are the common advantages of using non renewable energy sources to generate electricity?

Answer 3

• stable
• allows large scale production
• relatively cheap

Question 4

What are the common disadvantages of using non renewable energy sources to generate electricity?

Answer 4

• Pollution
• Dangerous

Question 5

What is renewable energy? Give 6 examples.

Answer 5

Renewable energy sources are infinite and will not run out.
- Biomass
- wind
- solar
- Biodiesel
- tidal
- hydro

Question 6

What is biomass?

Answer 6

The burning of organic matter such as wood, crops, rubbish, etc.

Question 7

Advantage of biomass?

Answer 7

Waste from plants and farming can be used

Question 8

Disadvantage of biomass?

Answer 8

Emits harmful fumes that contribute to global warming.
Large are needed for crops

Question 9

What is biodiesel?

Answer 9

Made from natural elements like plants, vegetables and cooking oil and can be used in diesel powered vehicles.

Question 10

What are the advantages of biodiesel?

Answer 10

• uses waste from plants n farming
• doesn’t emit dangerous gases

Question 11

Disadvantage of biodiesel?

Answer 11

• large area needed for farming

Question 12

What is tidal?

Answer 12

Turbines generate electricity from the movement of tidal water

Question 13

Advantages of tidal?

Answer 13

• no emissions
• powerful
• tides are predictable and stable

Question 14

Disadvantages of tidal

Answer 14

• relatively lower energy output
• expensive to set up
• only available in costal areas

Question 15

What is wind energy?

Answer 15

Propeller blades spin a shaft to generate electricity.

Question 16

Advantages of wind

Answer 16

Free
No emissions

Question 17

Disadvantages of wind

Answer 17

Not reliable
Expensive
Not aesthetically appealing

Question 18

What is solar energy?

Answer 18

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity by heating up water that turns into steam to spin the generator.

Question 19

Advantages of solar

Answer 19

Reliable in warm countries
Home can have their own
Low maintenance costs

Question 20

Disadvantages of solar

Answer 20

Expensive to set up
Depends on geographical location
Sun doesn’t shine all day

Question 21

What is hydroelectricity?

Answer 21

A dam traps water in a river and use this to turn turbines that generate electricity

Question 22

Advantage of hydroelectricity

Answer 22

Large amount of power for a low cost

Question 23

Disadvantages of hydroelectricity

Answer 23

Expensive to set up
Construction of dam may damage environment

Question 24

What are the factors to consider when choosing an energy source?

Answer 24

• profitability of source
• environmental impact
• power output
  -cost