C.1 Energy Sources Flashcards
What is energy?
The ability to do work
When is energy useful?
A source must produce energy at a reasonable rate with minimal pollution
What happens to energy when work is done?
Energy always goes from concentrated to dispersed when work is done.
Quality and amount of energy available to do work decreases as heat is transferred to the surroundings.
What are renewable energy sources?
Renewable energy comes from sources that can be replenished.
What are non renewable energy sources?
Non renewable sources are finite.
What are the advantages of using coal as a fuel?
The deposits should last hundreds of years.
Geographically widespread.
Can be converted to gas and liquid fuels.
Relatively cheap.
What are the disadvantages of using coal as a fuel?
Produces large amounts of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and particulates when burnt.
More difficult to transport than oil and gas.
Mining creates pollution.
What are the advantages of using oil as a fuel?
Easily transported.
Wide variety of compounds for petrochemical industry.
Yields fuels suitable for internal combustion engine.
What are the disadvantages of using oil as a fuel?
Produces large amounts of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide when burnt.
Supplies may last only decades.
Uneven geographical distribution.
What are the advantages of using natural gas as a fuel?
Clean fuel. Easy to transport. Higher specific energy than coal or oil. Less carbon dioxide per KJ produced compared to coal and oil. Cheap to produce.
What are the disadvantages pf using natural gas as a fuel?
Produced carbon dioxide when burnt. Supplies may last only 100 years. Geographical distribution uneven. Risk explosion due to leaks. Storage requires pressurisation or liquefaction.
What are the advantages of nuclear fission as a fuel?
Extremely high specific energy.
No greenhouse gases produced.
What are the disadvantages of nuclear fission as a fuel?
Non renewable.
Waste is radioactive and difficult to dispose of.
Expensive.
Risk of nuclear disaster.
What are the advantages of using electrochemical cells as a fuel?
Portable.
Rechargeable batteries can be used multiple times.
What are the disadvantages of using electrochemical cells as a fuel?
Non renewable.
Expensive.
Limited lifetime.
Require specialist disposal.
