Energy

Question 1

What are the two types of energy source?

Answer 1

Renewable and non-renewable.

Question 2

Define renewable energy source and give an example of it.

Answer 2

Something that we can use time and time again without it running out.
e.g Solar power

Question 3

Define non-renewable energy source and give an example of it.

Answer 3

Something that will eventually run out.

e.g fossil fuels

Question 4

Give 3 advantages of fossil fuels:

Answer 4

1. They are easy to burn and as they burn, they produce high energy which can generate a lot of power/electricity.
2. They are widely and easily available all over the world.
3. A fossil fuel power station can be built almost anywhere as long as you can get large quantities of these fuels.

Question 5

Give 3 disadvantages of fossil fuels:

Answer 5

1. They are non-renewable and fast depleting, so it will not last forever.
2. Burning fossil fuels release carbon dioxide, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
3. Mining and drilling for fossil fuels leads to irreversible damage to the environment.

Question 6

What are fossil fuels?

Answer 6

They are coal, oil and gas. They are called fossil fuels as they were formed from the remains of living organisms millions of years ago.

Question 7

What is nuclear power?

Answer 7

Nuclear power is energy which is produced with the use of a controlled nuclear reaction.

Question 8

Give 3 advantages of nuclear power:

Answer 8

1. They don’t produce greenhouse gases.
2. Tiny amounts of nuclear elements produce a large amount of energy.
3. Nuclear power stations can be sited almost anywhere in the world unlike oil power stations.

Question 9

Give 3 disadvantages of nuclear power:

Answer 9

1. They can cause a meltdown and release radioactive waves which could lead to cancer and mutations.

Question 10

What happened to the Chernobyl Site?

Answer 10

On the 26th April 1986, 1 of the 4 nuclear reactors exploded releasing more than 100x than the atom bombs dropped in Nagasaki. After the accident traces of radioactive deposits were found in nearly every country in the northern hemisphere. Contamination with caesium and strontium is of particular concern as they will be present in the soil for many years.

Question 11

Give 3 advantages of wind power:

Answer 11

1. They are renewable.
2. 140 turbines produce electricity for 200,000 houses.
3. They don’t need fuels in order to work.

Question 12

Give 3 disadvantages of wind power:

Answer 12

1. They are harmful to the wildlife (birds)
2. Able to ruin good views and landscapes.
3. Wind power cannot be controlled.

Question 13

What is a wind turbine?

Answer 13

The energy In the wind, turns two or three blades around a rotor. The rotor is connected to the main shaft, which spins a generator to create electricity.

Question 14

What are biofuels?

Answer 14

Biofuels are fuels produced from plant material.

Question 15

Give 3 advantages of biofuels:

Answer 15

1. Renewable.
2. They are cheap
3. They are carbon neutra (as they grow they absorb co2 but as they are burned they produce co2) - no pollution is caused

Question 16

What is solar power?

Answer 16

Solar power is the conversion of sunlight and heat into electricity.

Question 17

Give 3 advantages of solar power:

Answer 17

1. Renewable
2. There are no fuel costs.
3. No harmful polluting gases are produced.

Question 18

Give 3 disadvantages of solar power:

Answer 18

1. Solar cells are expensive and inefficient, so the cost of their electricity is high.
2. Solar panels may only produce very hot water in very sunny climates, and in cooler areas may need to be supplemented with a conventional boiler.
3. Although warm water can be produced even on cloudy days, neither solar cells nor solar panels work at night.