Electricity

Question 1

what are non-renewable energy resources?

Answer 1

1. Coal
2. Oil
3. Natural Gas
4. Nuclear Fuels

Question 2

what are renewable energy resources?

Answer 2

1. Wind
2. Waves
3. Tides
4. Hydroelectric
5. Solar
6. Geothermal
7. Food
8. Biofuels

Question 3

how do we use non-renewable resources to power stations?

Answer 3

The fuel is burned to convert its stored chemical energy into heat energy. The heat energy is used to heat water to produce steam, the steam turns a turbine converting heat energy into kinetic energy. Finally the turbine which is connected to a generator, transfers kinetic energy into electrical energy

Question 4

what is a nuclear reactor?

Answer 4

A nuclear power station is similar to a fuel power station. The nuclear fission of uranium or plutonium producing heat to make steam to drive turbines but it has a boiler. Nuclear power stations take the longest time of all the power stations to start up

Question 5

what is wind power?

Answer 5

The wind moves the turbines on a wind mill or wind turbine which turns the generator to get electricity

Question 6

how do solar cells work?

Answer 6

The solar cell generates electricity directly from sunlight

Question 7

how does hydroelectric power work?

Answer 7

Hydroelectric power requires the flooding of a valley by building a big damn, the water that is aloud through the damn spins the turbines which turns the generator and get electricity 9pumped storage does the same but just reuses water)

Question 8

how does wave power work?

Answer 8

When a wave moves in air is forced out turning the turbine which then turns the generator giving out electricity

Question 9

how do tidal barrages work?

Answer 9

Tidal barrages are big damns built across river estuaries with turbines in them. As the water builds up the water gradually starts to filter through the turbines slowly turning them and then turning the generator to produce electricity

Question 10

how does geothermal energy work?

Answer 10

Geothermal energy only works in volcanic areas where hot rock lies near to the surface. When the steam and hot water rise to the surface and are used to drive a turbine then generator to produce electricity

Question 11

what are the reliability issues?

Answer 11

Non renewable is reliable until it runs out, all the others except tidal and geothermic are unreliable due to weather

Question 12

what are the environmental issues?

Answer 12

1. Atmospheric Pollution
2. Using up resources
3. Visual Pollution
4. Noise Pollution
5. Disruption of Habitats
6. Disruption of Leisure Activities
7. Dangerous waste/Flooding

Question 13

how is electricity distributed?

Answer 13

Electricity is distributed via the National Grid. It distributes large amounts of power/voltage so the voltage is kept high but the current very low to conserve energy and money

Question 14

what are the positives of overhead cables?

Answer 14

Lower cost, Easy access to faults, Easy to set up and minimal disturbance to land

Question 15

what are the negatives to overhead cables?

Answer 15

Lots of maintenance needed, ugly looking, affected by weather and not extremely reliable

Question 16

what are the positives of underground cables?

Answer 16

Minimal maintenance, Hidden, Unaffected by weather and very reliable

Question 17

what are the negatives of underground cables?

Answer 17

High cost, Hard to fix faults, Hard to set up and lots of disturbance to land

Question 18

what is a step up and step down transformer?

Answer 18

A step up transformer increases the voltage the step down transformer decreases the voltage to make it safe to use in the home