2.8 WHAT NATURAL RESOURCES CAN BE USED TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY?

Question 1

What is The National Grid?

Answer 1

• Distributes electricity across the country
• Connects power stations to homes, workplaces and public buildings all around the country

Question 2

8 natural resources that can generate electricity

Answer 2

1. Solar power (Renewable)
2. Nuclear reaction (Non-renewable)
3. Geothermal energy (Renewable)
4. Wind power (Renewable)
5. Fossil fuels (Non-renewable)
6. Tidal energy (Renewable)
7. Biomass (Renewable)
8. Hydroelectric power (Renewable)

Question 3

Solar power

Answer 3

Using the sun’s energy to generate electricity

Question 4

Nuclear reaction

Answer 4

• Nuclear reaction produces heat that turns water into steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity
• Expensive to build

Question 5

Geothermal reaction

Answer 5

• Uses heat produced continuously inside the Earth’s crust to heat water and produces steam
• Steam is then captured to turn turbines
• Power stations are expensive
• These locations are prone to volcanoes and earthquakes

Question 6

Wind power

Answer 6

• Wind turns large turbine blades to generate electricity
• Electricity is inconsistent - depends on the wind
• Wind farms are expensive to build

Question 7

Fossil fuels

Answer 7

• Burn the fuel to produce steam that drives the turbines
• Efficient, cheap
• Pollutes the atmosphere

Question 8

Tidal energy

Answer 8

• Uses the rise and fall of tides to convert into electrical energy
• Barrages : expensive, damaging to environment

Question 9

Biomass

Answer 9

• Burn plants, trees and organic matter to heat steam that drives turbines
• Releases carbon dioxide

Question 10

Hydroelectric power

Answer 10

• Uses fast flowing water to turn generator to produce electricity
• Expensive to build
• Produce very little pollution