Definitions For Energy Topic

Question 1

What are flow resources?

Answer 1

Resources that come from a continuous supply that will never stop providing energy.

Question 2

Define what non renewable resources are.

Answer 2

Energy sources that have built up over time and when they’re used will deplete the stock. They include fossil fuels and nuclear.

Question 3

What are stock resources?

Answer 3

A resource f which there is a finite amount in existence and will eventually run out if used.

Question 4

What is a critical resource?

Answer 4

A sub division of renewable resources that need careful management in order to remain a renewable resource. These come from forests, plants and animal waste.

Question 5

What is a non critical resource?

Answer 5

Renewable energy that needs no management in order to remain renewable- for example; solar and wind.

Question 6

What is a reserve?

Answer 6

The part of a resource that is available and accessible or use. A reserve can be speculative (thought to exist in unexplored areas) or recoverable (an amount likely to be used in a certain time frame with current technology).

Question 7

What is a resource?

Answer 7

Any aspect of the environment that can be used to meet human needs. E.g. Food, fuel, shelter. Etc.

Question 8

Define ‘sustainable development’.

Answer 8

Development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising those of future generations.

Question 9

Define ‘appropriate technology’.

Answer 9

Technology that is suitable for the skill level and development (especially economic) levels of the area.

Question 10

What is an ‘energy mix’?

Answer 10

The proportion of different sources a country used to meet its energy demands. Usually presented in a pie chart form.

Question 11

What is ‘primary energy’?

Answer 11

Energy sources in raw form that are used to produce secondary energy. E.g; oil/ gas/ running water.

Question 12

What is secondary energy?

Answer 12

Energy sources manufactured from primary energy, for example; petrol and electricity.

Question 13

What is energy security?

Answer 13

The provision of affordable and reliable energy.

Question 14

What is NIMBY?

Answer 14

Not in my backyard.

When people encourage development as long as it isn’t close to them.

Question 15

Define what geopolitics is.

Answer 15

The study of the effects of human and physical geography on international politics and relations.

Question 16

Describe what a TNC is.

Answer 16

Transnational corporation.
A commercial enterprise that operates substantial facilities, does business in multiple countries and considers no country as its national home.

Question 17

Define what a fossil fuel is.

Answer 17

A natural fuel such as gas or oil that is formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. They’re all examples of non renewable resources.

Question 18

What is acid rain?

Answer 18

Rainfall that has been made so acidic by atmospheric pollution it causes. Environmental harm, especially to forests and lakes.

Question 19

Define global warming.

Answer 19

A gradual increase in the earths overall temperature, generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increasing levels of CFCs, carbon dioxide and other pollutants.

Question 20

What is biomass?

Answer 20

A critical energy resource in which organic matter can be converted into a fuel- examples are; fuel wood, ethanol and animal dung.

Question 21

Define what nuclear power is.

Answer 21

Electric or motive power that is generated by a nuclear reactor.

Question 22

Define what rebewable resources are.

Answer 22

Resources that will not run out and are being continuously created. They include; solar, wind, HEP, geothermal, tide and wave.

Question 23

What is globalisation?

Answer 23

The close economic interdependence between the leading nations of the world on trade, investment and cooperative commercial relationships.

Question 24

What is the Kyoto protocol?

Answer 24

An agreement signed in 1997 by most MEDCs (major exception: USA) to aim to cut harmful emissions by 5% in 15 years (by2012).

Question 25

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 25

The way in which long wave radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere from the earth and is warmed.

Question 26

What is carbon trading?

Answer 26

Rich MEDCs can buy carbon credits from lesser developed countries- eg helping to modernise old and inefficient power stations.

Question 27

What is GDP?

Answer 27

Gross domestic product. It is the monetary value of all the finished foods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period.

Question 28

What is a NIC?

Answer 28

Newly industrialised country. A country whose development levels lies between that of developing and first world classifications.

Question 29

Explain what is meant by ‘cooperation in world affairs’ in the context of geopolitics of energy.

Answer 29

Countries work together in the productio of energy by giving permission to explore and exploit resources in foreign countries by trade between countries in a fair way, without threat or fear of reprisals as a result of political differences.

Question 30

What is OPEC?

Answer 30

The organisation of petroleum exporting countries. Set up in 1960s with 13 countries- 8 located in Middle East and North America. Coordinate trade and production policies relating to oil