1.3 National and global energy sources

Question 1

What is a renewable energy source?

Answer 1

An energy source which can be replenished as it is being used up

Question 2

Give four examples of renewable energy sources

Answer 2

1. Wind electricity
2. Geothermal electricity
3. Tidal energy
4. Solar energy

Question 3

Give an example of a non-renewable energy source

Answer 3

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)

Question 4

What are the advantages of generating power using gas rather than coal?

Answer 4

Flexible generation: gas power stations have short start-up times so can be switched on/off more readily. They also have lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Question 5

State two disadvantages of using renewable energy resources to generate power

Answer 5

Output is often determined by external factors (like wind speed), so the supply is uncertain.

Generating power through other means is often more efficient and economically beneficial.

Question 6

Explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels

Answer 6

Carbon dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect, and causes global warming. Sulphur dioxide leads to acid rain, which can damage buildings and crops.

Question 7

State three advantages of using fossil fuels as an energy resource

Answer 7

1. Reliable: not dependent on external factors so can generate power anytime
2. Can produce large amounts of energy for a given quantity
3. Still relatively abundant, so cost-effective

Question 8

State three advantages of nuclear power

Answer 8

1. Very large amounts of energy for relatively small quantities of fuel
2. Doesn’t release greenhouse gases and so doesn’t contribute to climate change
3. Low fuel costs

Question 9

State three disadvantages of nuclear power

Answer 9

1. Produces nuclear waste which is harmful to humans and must be safely stored for centuries
2. Non-renewable energy source
3. Risk of nuclear accidents, which have fatal consequences on humans and the environment

Question 10

How does hydroelectric power produce electricity?

Answer 10

1. Rainwater collects behind a dam
2. When this water is released, it is used to turn a turbine
3. The turbine turns a generator which produces electricity

Question 11

What are some disadvantages of using biofuel?

Answer 11

When plants are burned or decay, they release CO2. In order to grow biofuel, you need to destroy land which leads to problems because:

1. The land could have been natural habitats
2. Destroying land may involve burning plants growing on it, which would release CO2
3. Growing biofuel reduces the land available for growing food

Question 12

What are the advantages of tidal energy sources?

Answer 12

They don’t produce greenhouse gases. They are quite reliable, as tides happen twice a day. They are cheap to run as tides are natural, and so are free.

Question 13

What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

Answer 13

The dam may cause flooding and it can cost a lot to install the required infrastructure.

Question 14

What some advantages of solar panels?

Answer 14

-They don’t cause
harm to
the environment.

-They are a
renewable
energy source.

-They can be used
in remote
areas where other
types of
energy are less
accessible.

Question 15

Give examples of social factors which may act as a deterrent for certain types of energy production

Answer 15

Visual pollution, sound pollution (these are both disadvantages of wind farms)