1.4 Methods We Use to Generate Electricity

Question 1

Name some non-renewable energy resources (4)

Answer 1

• Coal
• Oil
• Natural gas
• Nuclear fuels

Question 2

Name some renewable energy resources (8)

Answer 2

• Wind
• Waves
• Tides
• Hydroelectric
• Solar
• Geothermal
• Food
• Biofuels

Question 3

What are the basic features in a power station?

Answer 3

Boiler → turbine → generator → grid

Question 4

What are the energy transfers in a power station?

Answer 4

Chemical → Heat → Kinetic → Electrical

Question 5

Which non-renewable fuel takes the least time to start up and which takes the most time to start up?

Answer 5

Least: Natural gas

Most: Nuclear

Question 6

What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind power?

Answer 6

Advantages:

• Renewable
• No pollution
• No permanent damage to landscape
• No fuel costs

Disadvantages:

• Spoils the view
• Noisy
• Unreliable
• Expensive

Question 7

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

Answer 7

Advantages:

• Renewable
• No pollution
• Useful in remote places
• Very reliable in sunny places
• No running costs

Disadvantages:

• Expensive
• No energy during the night

Question 8

What are the energy transfers in hydroelectric power?

Answer 8

Gravitational potential → Kinetic → Electrical

Question 9

What can be done to allow for peak demands of energy when using hydroelectric power?

Answer 9

Water can be pumped back into the reservoir where it is stored until needed

Question 10

Where is geothermal energy possible?

Answer 10

Volcanic areas where hot water and steam rise to the surface

Question 11

What are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power?

Answer 11

Advantages:

• Clean
• Fuel is cheap

Disadvantages:

• Long start up time
• Fuel is difficult to dispose of
• Power plant is expensive and decommising it is expensive
• A major catastrophe is possible

Question 12

What does CCS stand for?

Answer 12

Carbon Capture and Storage

Question 13

How does CCS work?

Answer 13

By collecting CO₂ from power plants and pumping it into empty gas fields/oil fields. This reduces the amount of C0₂ emitted into the atmosphere

Question 14

How is electricity distributed across Britain?

Answer 14

The National Grid

Question 15

What is the National Grid?

Answer 15

A network of pylons and cables that transfers electricity from power plants across the country to people’s homes

Question 16

Why are transformers used?

Answer 16

To make the transferring of energy more efficient

Question 17

What does increasing the voltage do to the current?

Answer 17

Decreases it