Chapter 3- Fuels And Energy Resources

Question 1

Fossil fuels

Answer 1

Crude oil, coal and gas are fossil fuels. They were formed over millions of years, from the remains of dead organisms:

• coal was formed from dead trees and other plant material
• crude oil and and gas were formed from dead marine organisms

Fossil fuels took a very long time to form and we are using them up faster than they can be replaced. Once they have all been used up, they cannot be replaced. Fossil fuels are therefore finite resources; they are no longer being made or are being made incredibly slowly.

Question 2

Electricity from fossil fuels

Answer 2

About 3/4 of the electricity generated in the UK comes from power stations fuelled by fossil fuels. Energy from the burning fuel is used to boil water. The steam turns turbines, and these turn electrical generators. Unfortunately the use of fossil fuels releases pollution, including:

• carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas and increases global warming
• sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain

Question 3

Nuclear fuels

Answer 3

RNuclear fuels releases energy through nuclear reaction, rather than through chemical reactions. The main nuclear fuels are uranium and plutonium. In a nuclear power station, the energy released is used to boil water. The expanding steam spins turbines, which then drive generators to produce electricity.

Question 4

Nuclear advantages

Answer 4

• unlike fossil fuels, nuclear fuels don’t produce carbon dioxide of sulfur dioxide
  Reduces the prices of other fuels such as petrol

Question 5

Nuclear disadvantages

Answer 5

• non-renewable

- large amount of radioactive material could be released into the air if there is an accident

Question 6

Wind energy

Answer 6

The wind is produced as a result of large movements of air, driven by energy from the sun. This means the kinetic energy in wind is a renewable energy source. As long as the sun exists, the wind will too

Question 7

Wind turbines

Answer 7

Use the wind to drive turbines directly. They have huge blades mounted on a tall tower. The blades are connected to a nacelle, or housing, which contains gears linked to a generator. As the wind blows it transfers some of its kinetic energy to the blades, which turn and drive the generator.

Question 8

Wind advantages

Answer 8

-renewable

Question 9

Wind Disadvantages

Answer 9

Noisy and may spoil the view for people living near them

If there is no wind there is no electricity
Pollution can be caused

Question 10

Solar advantages

Answer 10

Free
Does not cause pollution
Can be used in remote areas
Everyday items can be powered by it

Question 11

Solar disadvantages

Answer 11

Only available in daytime and sunny conditions
Expensive to manufacture
Not efficient

Question 12

Geothermal advantages

Answer 12

Non-polluting
Can be used directly
Not weather dependant

Question 13

Geothermal disadvantages

Answer 13

Uses lots of land

Could release harmful chemicals during construction

Question 14

Coal advantages

Answer 14

Easy to burn
Affordable
Reliable
Produces high energy

Question 15

Coal disadvantages

Answer 15

Produces co2
Not environment friendly
Non renewable
Coal mines ruin the environment and puts lives at risk

Question 16

Oil advantages

Answer 16

Not difficult to produce
Easy availability, transport and use
Can produce a huge amount of energy
More efficient than coal

Question 17

Oil disadvantages

Answer 17

Causes pollution to water and earth
Dangerous and has been used in acts of terrorism and violence
Non renewable
Leads to production in creating harmful substances

Question 18

Gas advantages

Answer 18

Less harmful than coal or oil 
Easy storage and transport
Used daily in home
Creates fuel for vehicles
Instant energy
Sent in pipes

Question 19

Gas disadvantages

Answer 19

Toxic and flammable
Expensive installation
Non renewable