Ch2 Counting the Cost of Reliance on Fossil Fuels

Question 1

PGTC

List 4 factors causing increased fossil fuel usage

Answer 1

1. Population growth
2. Goods and services
3. Travel
4. Capitalism

Question 2

Define fuel security.

Answer 2

The uninterupted availability of energy at an affordable price for a nation or region

Question 3

Breifly explain the Oil Crisis of the 1970s

Answer 3

• 1973 Yom-Kippur war sparked an embargo of oil by the middle east to all nations supporting Israel.
• The USA was affected by this
• Oil prices qaudrupled

Question 4

What 3 long term impacts did the 1973 oil crisis have on the world?

Answer 4

1. Car manufacturing shifted from the USA to nations like Japan
2. Stimulated Britain to drill for oil in the North Sea
3. Developed nations began to seriously consider energy conservation, recycling and alternative forms of energy

Question 5

Outline the impact on Ukrainian energy when Russia annexed Crimea

Answer 5

• Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014, previously a part of Ukraine
• Diplomatic strains between Ukraine and Russia
• Ukraine were reliant on Russian natural gas and in June 2014 the gas supply was cut

Perfect example of how quickly fossil fuel supply can be halted

Question 6

Deforestation & Rising sea levels

Comment on habitat degradation in relation to fossil fuel burning

Answer 6

1. Deforestation - Trees cut down to exploit fossil fuel reserves -> Animal habitats destroyed
2. Rising sea levels - Global temperatures rising cause polar ice caps to melt -> Animals suffering are the polar bears

Question 7

Comment on air quality in relation to burning fossil fuels

Answer 7

• Combustion of fossil fuels releases soot and NOx gases which are hamful to human health
• Believed 40000 deaths in the UK a year are linked to air quality

Question 8

Efficiency =

Answer 8

Useful E out / Total E in

Question 9

Outline the 4 steps of generation of electricity within a fossil fuel plant

Answer 9

1. Combustion of fossil fuels within furnace
2. thermal energy released is used to evaporate water into steam
3. Steam used to spin turbine - steam cools down and is ejected into cooling towers
4. Steam condenses in cooling tower and falls as water to repeat process

Question 10

Name one emerging economy and describe its impact on fossil fuel demand.

Answer 10

• India or China
• Increased industrialization raises global demand and accelerates depletion

Question 11

List 3 ways a nation can increase its fuel security

Answer 11

1. Reduce fossil fuel reliance
2. Form international alliances
3. Develop renewable sources