Chapter 6 Transport System Challenges PP

Question 1

comment on the trend for travelling to work and explain why there is a need for a move towards more sustainable forms of transport.

Answer 1

Majority of population use private transport (car / van / taxi. This uses more fossil fuels and creates more carbon emissions

Question 2

Outline three of the key challenges that must be met by those developing sustainable ways to transport people and goods in the future

Answer 2

Economic viability;
Environmental impacts
Dependence on fossil fuels.

Question 3

Name two new vehicle technologies.

Answer 3

electric
hydrogen fuelled

Question 4

Identify one new vehicle technology that has the potential to reduce global dependency on oil as a transportation fuel and describe the infrastructure changes that would be required to allow it to work effectively.

Answer 4

Electric vehicles – need an extensive infrastructure planned and developed what will allow drivers to plug in their vehicles . Purely electric vehicles are totally reliant on their battery pack so they will be confined to short commutes if the network of charging stations isn’t developed. Plug in cities initiative.

Question 5

Describe the process of Biomass Pre-treatment

Answer 5

During this phase the biomass is treated with enzymes so that cellulose material will be amenable to hydrolysis

Question 6

Describe the process Cellulose Hydrolysis

Answer 6

Any remaining cellulose is hydrolysed into glucose. Cellulase enzymes are used to break the chains of sugars that make up the cellulose, releasing glucose.

Question 7

With the aid of a chemical equation, outline what is meant by Glucose fermentation.

Answer 7

The chemical breakdown of glucose to form ethanol.
As the sugars are broken down, ethanol and carbon dioxide are produced.

C6H12O6 > 2C(2)H5OH + 2CO2

Question 8

(Biodiesel) What is the name given to the type of chemical reaction that occurs between the vegetable oil and the methanol

Answer 8

Transesterification.

Question 9

(Biodiesel) What is the function of the Sodium Hydroxide in the process?

Answer 9

catalyst

Question 10

(Biodiesel) Name one other type of vegetable oil that might be suitable for conversion into biodiesel.

Answer 10

palm oil

Question 11

Explain two advantages of using biodiesel as a substitute fuel for private and commercial vehicles.

Answer 11

Doesn’t require any radical changes to switch to the use of biofuels unlike the difficulties in switching to other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
Are cheaper than fossil fuels. Many governments are now offering tax incentives to buy greener cars that run on biofuels (ethanol being one example)

Question 12

Explain two reasons why the rising global production of biofuels is a contentious issue.

Answer 12

Biofuels may raise the price of certain foods which are also used for biofuels such as corn.
As other plants are replaced, soil erosion will grow.