Chapter 6

Question 1

Turbines

Answer 1

Water is turned into vapour via heating from underneath

The vapour rises and travels up the boiler, and then turns the turbine

The turbine generates kinetic energy, which is linked to a generator to create electricity

The water vapour is condensed to be used again

The electricity travels through pylons in the National Grid, and finally reaches the sockets of our homes

Question 2

Fossil fuels

Answer 2

Fuels such as oil, coal, and gas, that have been formed over millions of years. They are combusted. Very finite resource

Question 3

Fracking

Answer 3

A process where shale gas is released by drilling deep into the ground and using intense water pressure to introduce cracks in the rocks, allowing the gas to escape

Question 4

Wind turbines

Answer 4

Turbines turned by the wind, and produce electricity when combine with a generator. The two types of wind turbine are on-shore and off-shore

Advantages -
Little maintenance needed
Clean energy
Higher energy production in winter
Low cost

Disadvantages -
Eyesore
Requires an ample amount of wind
Hazard to birds

Question 5

Solar energy

Answer 5

Photovoltaic cell’s capture sunlight and convert it into electrical energy

Advantages -
Clean energy
Cheap enough to be a viable method for large scale energy production
Little maintenance needed

Disadvantages -
Can only be used during the day
Low production in winter

Question 6

Tidal energy

Answer 6

The movement of water turns turbines, which produces electricity with the help of a generator

Advantages -
More predictable and constant vs Wind Turbines and Solar Power
Clean energy

Disadvantages -
High maintenance required
Environment may be affected

Question 7

Hydroelectric power

Answer 7

Water from the reservoir flows into the small, open section of the dam

As it rushed in a turbine turns

With the help of the generator and transformed, electricity is generated

Advantages -
Flow of water through the turbine is easy to controls, i.e it’s simple to alter the amount of electricity produced
Water can be pumped back up when demand is low
Reservoirs usually mature into thriving leisure facilities

Disadvantages -
High initial set-up costs
Large environmental impact, as a vast area of land must be flooded to create the reservoir
Power generation is more efficient during periods of heavy rainfall

Question 8

Nuclear power

Answer 8

The reactor core creates vast amounts of heat

The heat produced is controlled by the control rods

The heat causes water in the steam generator to turn into steam

This steam turns turbines, generating kinetic energy which is converted into electricity by a generator

Advantages -
Clean
Can generate electricity 24/7
Very efficient

Disadvantages -
Very high set-up costs
Waste product is radioactive, and is dangerous to all life