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Geo IGCSE > energy > Flashcards

energy Flashcards

1
Q

what are the non renewable energy resources (4)

A
  • oil
  • coal
  • natural gas
  • nuclear energy
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2
Q

what are non renewable energy resources

A

energy sources that get depleted as they get used up / they are finite

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3
Q

oil is found from

A

underground reserves

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4
Q

coal is found from / is

A

fossil fuels from ancient plant matter

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5
Q

natural gas

A

methane, from remains of ancient marine organisms

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6
Q

what does nuclear energy do

A

doesn’t result in carbon emissions, produces electricity

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7
Q

raw material of nuclear energy

A

uranium but needs such small amounts that it doesnt matter

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8
Q

renewable energy resources (7)

A

HEP

solar energy

wind energy

geothermal

tidal power

wave power

biofuels

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9
Q

what is HEP

A

hydro-electric power, energy from flowing water

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10
Q

solar energy is used for, and comes from

A

heating

  • energy from the sun
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11
Q

wind energy comes from, and creates

A

energy from wind,

electricity

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12
Q

what is geothermal energy

A

the heat of rocks near the surface, within the earth

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13
Q

tidal power comes from

A

tides

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14
Q

wave power comes from

A

kinetic energy of the waves

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15
Q

biofuels

A

biological waste or gas- waste decomposes and creates methane

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16
Q

as countries become more developed, they transfer from a __ energy consumption to more __, __ consumption and production

A

high

efficient and developed

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17
Q

why do the types of energy consumption vary by world region

A

They vary by region because of economic development, resources, and industrial needs

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18
Q

area associated with fossil fuel and nuclear energy production

A

China, Europe

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19
Q

area which depends more on hydropower and biomass

A

Africa and parts of Asia

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20
Q

How has energy sources and consumption changed in the last 35 years

A

from 1990 to 2023 there has been a sharp increase in renewable energy consumption, mostly in solar and wind energy.

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21
Q

Give THREE reasons why renewable energy sources are a bigger part of the electrical energy mix in some countries compared to others

A

Policy support, the government is encouraging and enforcing policies in renewables

Economic development, as countries develop they have more money and resources to invest in renewable infrastructure

Availability of natural resources, ( wind, sun, water)

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21
Q

why has there been an increase in renewable energy consumption and production in the last 35 years (4)

A

This shift is due to :

  • technological advancements
  • falling costs,
  • heightened awareness of climate change.

Supportive policies and investments are also a big factor in making renewables more important in the global energy landscape.

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22
Q

what is fuelwood

A

wood that is then used for fuel for purposes such as cooking, heating or power production.

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23
Q

what is fuelwood used for

A

for fuel for purposes such as cooking, heating or power production.

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24
Q

Why is fuelwood still such an important energy source in many parts of the world? (4)

A

It is often free ( affordable),

doesn’t require hi.tech equipment,

is easily accessible to many people ( forests),

can be considered renewable and sustainable

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25
Q

advantages of fuelwood (4)

A

it’s often free

Does not require hi-tech equipment to use it

It is easily accessible to many

It can be sustainable and renewable

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26
Q

how has the consumption of fuelwood changed since 2000

A

increased

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27
Q

Schemes have been developed to make fuelwood use more sustainable. (4)

A

Afforestation (planting more trees).

Managing the woodland system, to ensure it is used sustainably.

The introduction of new fast growing species

The introduction of new fuel efficient stoves, which burn less wood and create less smoke.

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28
Q

problems with fuelwood (4)

A

In some parts of the world more trees are being cut down than are being replaced.

This means people have to walk further to collect it. This means children may miss out on school

Deforestation may lead to soil erosion and desertification.

Burning wood in confined spaces leads to respiratory illnesses, especially amongst women.

29
Q

where is fuelwood used most and why

A

in LEDC’s

The more rural a country is, the greater its dependence on fuelwood.

because in many societies the collection of wood for heating & cooking is a regular task for family members (particularly women & children)

30
Q

advantages of nuclear energy (6)

A
  • zero emissions of nuclear gas
  • reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels
  • doesn’t fluctuate in prices much
  • constant and reliable
  • high energy output
  • massive amounts of raw material available
31
Q

advantage of nuclear energy : zero emissions of nuclear gasses

A

This has become more and more a concern as climate change rises, so is advantageous

32
Q

advantage of nuclear energy : reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels

A

As more countries have become more concerned about energy security, and using lots of fossil fuels can cause geopolitical tensions, it is seen by a number of governments as a tried and tested way of reducing reliance on energy imports.

33
Q

advantage of nuclear energy : doesn’t fluctuate in prices as much

A

The fuel for nuclear plants is relatively plentiful and most uranium mines are found in politically stable countries

34
Q

advantage of nuclear energy : constant and reliable

A

Is very reliable, and doesn’t fluctuate

35
Q

advantage of nuclear energy : high energy output

A

Produces huge amount of energy just from one power plant

36
Q

advantage of nuclear energy : massive amounts of uranium

A

Basically never will run out because we use much less than the energy produced

37
Q

disadvantages of nuclear energy (5)

A
  • power plant accidents
  • disposal of storage of radioactive waste
  • terrorist use of nuclear fuels for weapons
  • very expensive
  • increased rates of leukemia for children living near power plants
38
Q

disadvantages of nuclear energy : power plant accidents

A

They can release radiation into the sea, land or air (called nuclear meltdown)

39
Q

disadvantages of nuclear energy : disposal of radioactive waste

A

High-level waste is so radioactive that it generates heat and corrodes containers and causes death to people who are exposed to more than a few days, making it super difficult to store and no country has a long term solution for it.

40
Q

disadvantages of nuclear energy : terrorist use of nuclear fuel for weapons

A

As the number of countries with access to nuclear technology becomes bigger, the probability of a terrorist attack with nuclear weapons does too. Part of the concern is also that some countries which claim to be developing nuclear electricity only may well put themselves in a position to develop nuclear weapons.’

41
Q

disadvantages of nuclear energy : very expensive

A

Has a very high capital investment (money needed to set it up) and so not every country can afford it

42
Q

in general do LICs have a high or low percentage of nuclear energy production

A

low

43
Q

in general do HICs have a high or low percentage of nuclear energy production and how much

A

higher.

  • 30% or more
44
Q

Why might nuclear energy become more (or less?) important in the future? (3)

A

The need for low carbon energy becomes more important as climate change becomes more drastic and countries aim to reduce their carbon footprints.

Fossil fuels will become depleted

Also as the population grows, and economies develop, there will be a higher demand for electricity, and less available fossil fuels, making nuclear energy a great option as it is a reliable and limitless option.

45
Q

is nuclear energy expensive

A

YES

46
Q

Difference between renewable and non renewable energy sources

A

Non renewable resources eventually run out and become completely exhausted and are fossil fuels and nuclear fuels. The burning of them also creates pollution and is the major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Renewable energy resources are mainly forces of nature that are sustainable and which usually cause little or no pollution. They do not exhaust/ are not limited

47
Q

geothermal energy is a way of

A

harnessing the heat closer to the surface within the earth’s crust. (hot rocks from volcanoes/found in volcanic zones due to magma near surface)) (over 100º)

48
Q

advantages of geothermal energy and why (4)

A

Efficient energy production
operate with high efficiency, and is not affected by weather conditions, providing a constant supply (generates electricity)

Available 24/7
Doesn’t rely on light from the sun, so works 24 hours a day

Does Not need large amounts of land

Multiple uses
Other than electricity generation, it can also be used for direct heating in homes and greenhouses and industrial process

49
Q

disadvantages of geothermal and why (2)

A
  • Not easy to have, located in few areas
    There are few locations worldwide where significant amounts of energy can be generated- and some of these locations are far from where the energy would be used

Total global generation in very small
Doesn’t generate enough energy globally for it to be used as a main source of energy

50
Q

wind energy is used to

A

produce electricity by converting the kinetic energy of air in motion into electricity

51
Q

advantages of wind energy and why (2)

A

No greenhouse gas emissions
No CO2 or other pollutants released by wind turbines

Efficient land use
Wind farms can be built on agricultural land which allow farming activities to continue (produces electrical energy)

52
Q

disadvantages of wind energy and why (4)

A

Negative impact
They are large, and bright white so skylines in scenically beautiful areas may be spoiled forever

Unreliable
Need wind to produce energy

Can kill birds
Around 500,000 birds die annually due to flying in between the rotating turbine

People are Worried that turbines might ruin their homes & hum of turbines disturbs people and wildlife
As they’re so big, if anything goes wrong, they will cause significant damages to homes, and could also result in being very loud, therefore disturbing people and wildlife living there.

53
Q

HEP ( structure and how it works)

A

A tunnel through the dam wall at an angle, and the pressure converts potential energy to kinetic energy, spinning turbines

54
Q

advantages of HEP and why (4)

A

flood control and irrigation
Dams used in hydroelectric projects can help control floods and store water for irrigation ( help agriculture)

Consistent and reliable
It is predictable and consistent as water flow can be controlled, so electricity production is consistent and reliable

Works 24/7

Can scale the size
Don’t have to make them huge, allowing even small villages to gain electricity

55
Q

disadvantages of HEP and why (3)

A

Huge negative visual impact on environment
Large dams and power plants can take up a lot of space and be ugly, make the environment less visually attractive

Obstruction of river for aquatic life/ sedimentation
Man made alterations to the rivers flow mean that aquatic life may no longer find its food, or be able to reach places for migration

Large areas being flooded
To form the reservoir behind the dam, large areas of land may need to be flooded

56
Q

wave energy works how

A

wind drives up and down motion of waves and that drives a generator to produce electricity

57
Q

how does tidal energy work

A

uses movement of ocean tides to generate electricity

58
Q

advantages of wind and tidal energy and why (2)

A

Space efficient
Offshore wave farms don’t take up valuable land space

Sustainable
They’re driven by gravitational forces from the moon and sun, ensuring long term energy supply

59
Q

disadvantages of wind and tidal and why (4)

A

High start up cost
Investment costs lots

Needs a coastal location

Needs estuaries
If the estuaries are being used for naval purposes, then we can’t use them

Not as dependable as nuclear or fossil fuels
As wave energy is where generators are placed on the earth’s surface and energy levels are determined by the strength of the waves, its not as predictable or dependable

60
Q

solar energy is when you

A

harness energy from the sun using panels or batteries and converting it into electricity

61
Q

advantages of solar energy and why (3)

A

Long lifespan
Solar panels can last 25-30 years, making them a long-term investment

Scalable and versatile
Can be used at different scales, from household systems to large solar farms

Huge scale and efficient
There is so much energy and we only need around 1% of it globally

62
Q

disadvantages of solar energy and why (2)

A

High costs of solar plants
High investment costs are needed, as well as needing a lot of land to generate an efficient amount of energy.

Not completely reliable
Cannot be produced during storms, on cloudy days or at night. Large areas of land are also needed to capture the sun’s energy in order to generate significant amounts of power.

63
Q

advantages of biofuel and why (2)

A

Can be produced locally
Many countries can grow crops like sugarcane or corn for biofuel, improving energy security

Creates jobs
Farming, refining and distributing biofuels creates employment in rural and agricultural sectors

64
Q

what are biofuels

A

fuels made from plant materials

65
Q

disadvantages of biofuels and why (3)

A

Greenhouse gas emissions
It uses huge amounts of energy, creating greenhouse gas emissions, and also have a lower energy output than traditional fuels

Adds to global food crisis
Increasing amounts of cropland are used to produce biofuels, which adds to the global food crisis as large amounts of water, land and fertilisers are needed for large-scale crop production.

deforestation
Cutting the trees for growing the crops leads to deforestation

66
Q

WHY DOES RENEWABLE ENERGY (APART FROM HEP) ACCOUNT FOR SUCH A SMALL PORTION OF GLOBAL ENERGY SUPPLY (3)

A

Because at the moment, there are still high or enough amounts of fossil fuels, and in a lot of countries, they are also producing a large amount of jobs as well as some countries not having incentives or policies to encourage renewable energy usage.

Many countries also have energy systems designed for fossil fuels, making it harder to switch, especially if they are not HIC and don’t have the capital to invest (as technology is needed to transport and store renewable energy efficiently) (INERTIA)

LACK OF POLITICAL WILL

Building solar panels, wind farms, and other renewable energy systems requires a lot of money at the start, and as solar depends on light, wind depends on the wind and wave depends on waves, it is not very reliable, predictable or dependable. As well as needing a more efficient way to to store it for when production is low ( rainy, dark days, calm waters, no wind)

67
Q

WHY COULD CONTRIBUTION OF SOLAR ENERGY INCREASE IN THE FUTURE

A

Technology will become more efficient, prices will decrease, and the cumulative installed solar capacity will also increase

68
Q

WHAT IS ENERGY MIX

A

proportional share of each source of energy (shown by a pie chart) (where a country gets its energy from)

69
Q
A

Geo IGCSE (22 decks)

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