3.1 - Energy Demands (Finished)

Question 1

How does a coal/oil power station work (simply)?

Answer 1

Fuel is burnt to heat water in a boiler producing steam which drives a turbine that turns an electric generator

Question 2

What are the main energy resources used to meet our demands?

Answer 2

Oil, coal and gas

Question 3

What is a bio-fuel?

Answer 3

Any fuel taken from loving or recently living organisms

Question 4

Why are bio-fuels supposed to be carbon-neutral?

Answer 4

In theory the carbon the living organism takes in from the atmosphere (as co2) balances out the carbon dioxide released when it is burnt

Question 5

How do you generate power from bio-fuels?

Answer 5

They can be used instead of fossil fuels in modified engines or in power stations

Question 6

What are two sources of bio-fuels?

Answer 6

• Methane collected from cows or animal manure or sewage works etc.
• Plants/Crops

Question 7

What are two problems of bio-fuels?

Answer 7

• The cost of refining bio-fuels is high
• Growing crops for bio fuels could be used for world food demand
• Large areas of forest cleared for bio-fuel plantations
• Can’t respond to immediate energy demands

Question 8

What are the two main advantages of bio-fuels?

Answer 8

Reloable, carbon-neutral

Question 9

What are some advantages of nuclear power?

Answer 9

• It produces a lot more energy per kg of fuel than fossil fuels
• It is not renewable but uranium and plutonium are still good in supply
• No greenhouse gases are produced

Question 10

What are some disadvantages of nuclear power?

Answer 10

• It produces waste products that are expensive to get rid of and harmful to the environment
• In the event of a disaster the power plant could severely damage environment e.g. Chernobyl meltdown

Question 11

What revolutionary method is used to convert heat from nuclear reactions to power?

Answer 11

Using the coolant to heat water to turn a turbine… again…