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AS Geography Rivers/ Energy > Energy > Flashcards

Energy Flashcards

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1
Q

What is primary energy?

A

Energy that is released as a direct source e.g- Coal

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2
Q

What is secondary energy?

A

Energy that is released when primary energy is converted from one form to another. eg.-Electricity

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3
Q

What are some examples of primary energy?

A

Crude Oil

Natural Gas

Nuclear Energy

Waste

Biomass

Hydroelectricity

Wind

Tidal

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4
Q

What are some examples of secondary energy?

A

Petroleum Products

Manufactured Solid Fuels

Electricity

Heat/Thermal Energy

Biofuels

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5
Q

What is a renewable energy resource?

A

A resource that can be replenished at a similar rate to which it is being used up

They are also known as FLOW resources as there is constant energy transfer occuring which will be balanced if it is to be sustainable

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6
Q

What are some examples of truly renewable resources?

A

Tidal, wind and solar power as they can’t be used up

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7
Q

What is a non-renewable energy resource?

A

Energy that will run out and can’t be replaced in the forseeable future

Known as STOCK resources as they are finite and when used they will be gone forever

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8
Q

What are some examples of non-renewable resources?

A

Fossil fuels (coal, oil & natural gas), nuclear energy

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9
Q

Whether a resource is renewable or not depends on what?

A

The rate at which it is being utilized compared to the rate at which it is being replenished. If these rates are similar then the resource is deemed renewable

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10
Q

Why does wood need to be carefully managed?

A

If wood reserves are used up too quickly in a short space of time then the cycle of replenishment is disrupted and the resource is gone.

However if the resource is managed to make sure it will have time to be replaced then it is renewable.

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11
Q

Why does geothermal energy need to be carefully managed?

A

If the power station is too large for the site and is continually pumping water into the ground then the ground may eventually begin to cool also. Therefore the resource may be lost.

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12
Q

What are fossil fuels?

A

They are hydrocarbon deposits that are derived from living matter from previous geological times. Coal, oil and natural gas are examples

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13
Q

Why are fossil fuels considered non-renewable eventhough they can be replaced?

A

It is because the rate at which we are using them is greater that the rate that they can be replenished (millions of years) which is not the forseeable future

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14
Q

How is coal formed?

A

It was formed during the carboniferous times where forests growing in swamps died and was covered in layers of sediment. Over time the organic material doen’t decompose and so it is preserved. Layers of rock form on top of the material and causes immense pressure which squeezes out the moisture. The coal is left behind between the layers of sandstone and shale.

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15
Q

How is coal extracted?

A

If it is buried deep underground then shaft mines will be dug out

If it is close to the surface then the over burden will be cleared in order to do open cast mining. Machines will quarry out the coal until there is no more. The overburden will eventually be replaced and the ground restored.

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16
Q

How is coal used to produce electricity?

A

The coal is burnt in a furnace which creates thermal energy. This is used to create steam which turn a turbine and in turn turns a generator. This produces electricity which goes through a transformer that changes the voltage.

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17
Q

What are the advantages of coal?

A
  • Cost effective in power stations
  • The most abundant fossil fuel
  • Generates large amounts of energy
  • Easy to find
  • Reduces dependance on the use of oil
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18
Q

What are the disadvantages of coal?

A
  • Mining is difficult and could endanger the lives of miners
  • Prduces CO2 when burnt
  • Produces sulphur dioxide which contributes to acid rain
  • Destroys vast areas of land
  • Requires extensive transportation
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19
Q

How is oil formed?

A

Millions of years ago microscopic sea creatures that died were covered with sediment. This meant that they were trapped between these layers which compressed them. This created huge amounts of pressure which turned the organic material to oil.

The oil then percolated through the pores in the rock and travelled upwards. If the oil was trapped in impermeable rock then an oil reservoir would be formed

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20
Q

How is oil extracted?

A

Drills are used that penitrate the layers of silt/ sand in order to reach the rock and obtain the oil

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21
Q

How is oil used to generate electricity?

A

The oil is burnt in a furnace which creates steam and the steam turns a turbine which turns a generator and produces electricity.

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22
Q

What are the advantages of oil?

A
  • Easy to transport
  • Generates huge amounts of energy
  • Cleaner and easier to burn than coal
  • Easy to find
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23
Q

What are the disadvantages of oil?

A
  • Causes environmental hazards (oil spills)
  • Produces sulphur dioxide and trioxide which lead to acid rain
  • Not as efficient as natural gas
  • Products may be toxic
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24
Q

How is natural gas formed?

A

Natural gas is formed at the same time as oil. Like oil it is formed when micro-organisms die and get covered in layers of sediment. Pressure builds which results in heat and the gas if formed. Usually it it stored in the upper parts of an oil reservoir

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25
Q

How is natural gas extracted?

A

Wells are created using drills that go down into the reservoir. The gas is then forced out by its own pressure until it drops significantly. At this point pressurised fluid is used to pump it up. The area where the gas was is then replaced by mud

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26
Q

How is natural gas used to produce electricity?

A

Natural gas is pumped into the gas turbine, where it is mixed with air and burnt creating heat. As well as heat, burning natural gas produces a mixture of gases called the combustion gas. The heat makes the combustion gas expand. In the enclosed gas turbine, this causes a build-up of pressure. The pressure drives the combustion gas over the blades of the gas turbine, causing it to turn. This also spins the generator which produces electricity.

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27
Q

What are the advantages of natural gas?

A
  • Non toxic
  • Very efficient
  • Produces 70% less carbon dioxide than other fossil fuels
  • Inexpensive
  • Generates large amounts of energy
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28
Q

What are the disadvantages of natural gas?

A
  • Unplesant odurs
  • Problems with transportation
  • Leaks can be difficult to spot
  • Can produce some sulphur dioxide
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29
Q

What is an energy mix?

A

The different sources of energy used by households, industry and commerce, and in the electricity generation industry

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30
Q

Why do energy mixes change?

A
  • Advance in technology- easier to extract some sources
  • Fossil fuels will deplete as they are a finite/ non renewable resource
  • Nuclear energy will make up for the lost fossil fuel energy
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31
Q

What is acid rain?

A

A type of air pollution that is caused when fossil fuels (coal and oil) are burnt which releases sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide into the air

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32
Q

How does acid rain form?

A
  1. Combustion of fossil fuels
  2. Acidic gases (sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide) are released into the atmosphere
  3. The gases are carries by the prevailing wind
  4. The gases disolve into the rainwater and forms acidic rain (sulphuric acid)
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33
Q

What are the effects of acid rain on trees?

A
  • Damages leaves
  • Reduces ability to photosynthesise which limits the energy and nutrients they can take in
  • They are exposed to toxic substances which are slowly released into the soil
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34
Q

What are the effects of acid rain on lakes?

A
  • As the acidity increases so does the levels of aluminium which are toxic to fish such as trout and bass
35
Q

What are the effects of acid rain on water supplies?

A
  • Pollute water
  • Cause stomach upsets and cancer if people are exposed to it for a lomg time
36
Q

What are the effects of acid rain on soil?

A
  • Low PH levels will increase leaching so minerals are lost meaning the soil becomes less fertile and may restrict the growth of vegetation
37
Q

What are the effects of acid rain on buildings?

A
  • Chemical/ acidic weathering
  • Damages important buildings e.g- houses of parliament
  • Costs a lot to fix
38
Q

Why is acid rain an international problem?

A
  • The prevailing wind carries the pollution to other countries causing acid rain there
  • e.g- London burns a lot of fossil fuels. The prevailing wind carries the pollutants to Scandinavia and causes reduces soil fertilisation
39
Q

How can individuals reduce the impact of acid rain?

A
  • Cycling- reduces carbon footprint
  • Solar pannels
  • Public transport
  • Electric cars
40
Q

How can industries reduce the impact of acid rain?

A
  • Tradeable permits- encourages other energy sources
  • Catalyctic converters- Captures the pollutants
41
Q

How can the government reduce the impact of acid rain?

A
  • Tax- reduces demand for products which produce the pollutants as a by product
  • Carbon capture- filters the pollution
  • Subsidies for renewable resources
  • Adding lime to lakes to neutralise the water
42
Q

What is geopolitics?

A

The way geography, economics and the distribution of resources affects the politics of the nations and the relationship between the nations

43
Q

What is a democracy?

A

A political system where people have the power to elect their government and have the power to vote to change the government

44
Q

What is communisum?

A

A system of government where the state plans and controls the economy. Everything produced is divided between people in a way that the government thinks fit

45
Q

What is a free market?

A

A market economy where te forces of demand and supply are free of intervention by government

46
Q

Why is fuelwood gathered in some countries?

A
  • Cheap
  • Accessible
  • LEDCs may not be able to afford to import oil and gas
  • Rapid growth in population
47
Q

What the environmental impacts of gathering fuelwood?

A
  • Exposed land- little interception so more surface runoff
  • Soil erosion- leaching of nutrients
  • Droughts
  • Loss of biodiversity
48
Q

What are the social impacts of gathering fuelwood?

A
  • High carbon emissions- breathing related illnesses
  • Girls who have to travel vast distances are missing out on vital education
49
Q

What are the economic impacts of gathering fuelwood?

A
  • Loss of productivity- less profit for farmers
  • Reduction in the countrys’ GDP
  • Decreased quality of life
50
Q

What are the two fuels used in nuclear power?

A

Uranium and thoruim

51
Q

Why is nuclear energy a more realistic source in terms of the future?

A
  • Fossil fuels are running out and are expected to have been depleted in 50 years
  • Nuclear stocks are estimated to run out in over 1000 years
52
Q

What are the advantages of nuclear energy?

A
  • It is reliable and requires little fuel to produce a lot of energy
  • No greenhouse gases are emitted
  • The fuels are evenly distributed throughout the world so one country can not dominate the market
  • Creates jobs
  • Does not contribute to acid rain
53
Q

What are the disadvantages of nuclear energy?

A
  • Produces dangerous radioactive watse
  • Not a long term solution in terms of waste disposal
  • Building the plant is very expensive
  • Terrorists may intercept the transportation of fuels
54
Q

What is sustainable energy?

A
  • Producing and using energy in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future
  • The energy must not deplete resources and cause long term environmental damage
55
Q

How do wind turbines work?

A
  • They are built in open areas where there is a high chance of strong winds
  • Wind energy turns the blades which converts it into mechanical energy which drives a generator that creates electricity
56
Q

What is a world example of wind energy?

A

Denmark has build on and offshore wind farms which currently generate 20% of their electricity

57
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind turbines?

A

Advantages

  • Supply 1% of the worlds electricity
  • No greenhouse gas emissions
  • No fuel needed to run it

Disadvantages

  • Wind is unreliable
  • One turbine only generates a small amount of electricity
  • Takes up space
  • May harm wildlife
58
Q

What is biomass?

A
  • Material that was recently living( wood, plants…) is burnt to release energy or processed to make biofuels
  • Biofuels are made by fermenting sugar cane to produce alcohol that can be burnt
59
Q

Where have biofuels been used?

A

Brazil runs an ethanol programme since the 1970s that now supplies 18% of the transport fuel

60
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of biomass?

A

Advantages

  • Carbon neutral
  • Low tech so can be used in LEDCs

Disadvantages

  • Large areas of land are needed that could be used for food crops
  • Only renewable of it is managed carefully
61
Q

How does solar power work?

A
  • Solar water heaters use solar energy directly to heat water
  • Solar cookers concentrate light, converting it to heat so it can cook food
  • Solar cells convert light energy into electrical energy
  • Materials that absorb the thermal energy of the sun during the daytime can release it at night time
62
Q

Where has solar power been used?

A
  • Rizhao in China
  • 99% of the buildings use solar heaters
  • Kitchens have solar cookers
  • Street lights use solar cells
63
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

A

Advantages

  • No greenhouse gases after production
  • No expensive raw materials
  • Efficient and cheap over time

Disadvantages

  • CO₂ is released during production
  • PV cells are expensive
  • The climate needs to be sunny for there to be alot of electricity generated
64
Q

How does tidal energy work?

A
  • Uses the movement of tides to allow the water to pass through the barages and turn turbines which drive generators and produce electricity
  • Tidal stream systems are when turbines are built across areas with fast flowing currents
65
Q

Where is an example of a tidal barrage?

A
  • Rance estuary in Northern France
  • Worlds largest tidal barrage that produces electricity for 19 000 homes
66
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of tidal energy?

A

Advantages

  • Less variable than wind or solar energy
  • No greenhouse gases after production
  • The barrage system lasts a long time and needs little maintenance

Disadvantages

  • The equipment is expensive
  • Production releases CO₂
  • Ecosystems are disrupted
  • The turbines can kill aquatic animals
67
Q

How does wave energy work?

A
  • Wind blows over the water
  • The wave flows into the bottom of the chamber
  • Air is forced up and it drives a turbine which is connected to a generator which produces electricity
68
Q

Where is wave energy used?

A
  • LIMPET in Scotland become the worlds first device to use wave power on a commercial scale in 2000
69
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of wave energy?

A

Advantages

  • No greenhouse gases after production
  • Can generate energy on a large scale

Disadvantages

  • Wave energy is not as reliable as tidal
  • The generators are expensive
  • Production releases CO₂
70
Q

How does hydroelectric power work?

A
  • Uses the energy of falling water through a dam
  • The dam traps water in a reservoir which is released at a controlled rate into a series of turbines which are connected to a generator which produces electricity
71
Q

Where has hydroelectric power been used?

A
  • Three Gorges Dam on the river Yangtze in China
  • Built in 1994, it is the words largest HEP station
  • Produces 2% of the electricity needed in China
72
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

A

Advantages

  • Produces large quantities of electricity (20% of the world’s electricity)
  • No greenhouse gases after production

Disadvantages

  • Reservoirs destroy habitats
  • If the dam fails then the consequences are huge
  • Expensive
  • Prevents salmon from migrating upstream
73
Q

What is appropriate technology?

A

Technology that is sustainable for the place in which it will be used, using the wealth, skills and materials easily available in the local area

74
Q

What sort of appropriate technology would be used in MEDCs?

A
  • High tech solutions such as HEP, wind and tidal energy
75
Q

What sort of appropriate technology would be used in LEDCs?

A
  • Low or intermediate tech solutions such as solar pannels, solar cookers and biomass
76
Q

What do sustainable homes have to do?

A
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Be adapted for climate change
  • Reduce the envrionmental impact as a whole
77
Q

Why do homes need to be sustainable?

A
  • Global warming
  • Fossil fuels are running out
  • Countries demand more energy as they develop
  • It increases the standard of living and quality of life
78
Q

What are some small scale examples of sustainability in homes?

A
  • Moss on roofs- absorbs water and collects it so it can be used to flush toilets
  • Surfaces that are made of timber from sustainable sources
  • Biomass ovens/ wood burners
  • Solar pannels
79
Q

How can the heating be managed to help energy conservation in the workplace?

A
  • Have a thermostat so the temperature can be monitored
  • Close the doors and windows when the neating is on
  • Open the windows when the heating is off
  • Make sure the radiators are not blocked
  • Don’t watse energy heating unused spaces and buildings
  • Fix draughty windows
80
Q

How can electrical equipment be managed to help energy consumption in the workplace?

A
  • Turn off equipment when not in use
  • Don’t use stand by mode
  • Use energy efficient equipment by updating regularly
  • Use LED light bulbs instead of halogen
  • Turn lights on when and where they are needed
81
Q

How can walking and cycling make transport more sustainable?

A
  • Cycle to work- Employers recieve tax exemptions for loaning/ selling bikes to employees
  • Cycle ways/ walkways- Money is invested to create these paths for cycles which encourages people to stop using vehicles. This reduces the number of cars on the road.
82
Q

How can public transport make transport more sustainable?

A
  • Park and ride- Money is invested in these schemes to give people the option to use them instead of driving themselves. This reduces fuel consumption.
  • Conjestion charges- Charging people for using their vehicle encourages public transport which reduces fuel consumption and the number of vehicles on the road
83
Q

What are two examples of transport that use energy from sustainable sources?

A
  • Hydrogen fuel cells- Used in buses that run on electricty produced by hydrogen. The hydrogen is made from water.
  • Hybrids- Use a combination of energy from two sources, one of which is sustainable which makes the vehicle as a whole more sustainable
84
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of sustainable transport?

A

Advantages

  • Environmental pollution is minimal
  • Energy is made from renewable resources
  • Fossil fuels are conserved
  • Heat generation is controlled

Disadvantages

  • Costly to maintain
  • Development of new technology is expensive

AS Geography Rivers/ Energy (5 decks)

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